Bladder cancer, the fourth most common cancer in men, is a serious but treatable disease. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 56,500 new cases will be diagnosed in the U. S. each year.

To aid patients in making treatment decisions, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American Cancer Society created Bladder Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients, one title in a series available free to cancer patients and their families.

The Treatment Guidelines for Patients are based on the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology developed for physicians by NCCN experts. The patient guidelines also provide background information on different types of cancers, their causes, various treatment options, and a glossary of terms.

"These guidelines offer . . . reliable, specific, and easy-to-understand information helping patients take a more active role in their own healthcare," said Ralph Vance, MD, FACP, national volunteer president of the American Cancer Society.

Other available guidelines include those for breast cancer, colon and rectal cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, nausea and vomiting, cancer pain management, fatigue and anemia, and fever and neutropenia. Most are also available in Spanish. To get a copy of the guidelines call (888) 909-NCCN or visit www.nccn.org.

This story was provided by the North American Precis Syndicate.