In response to increasing public concern and to new documentation about medical errors, FindCancerExperts recently announced that its cancer expert referral service will now be a free, public service available to all users. The consulting staff has been increased so that patients who visit http://www.findcancerexperts.com can now obtain access to a network of more than 60 nationally recognized pathologists with expertise in the diagnosis of all cancer types. The Web site also provides educational material emphasizing the importance of an accurate cancer (tissue biopsy) diagnosis to assure the best cancer care. "The public and the medical profession have been inundated with articles on the need for error reduction and enhanced patient safety since the Institute of Medicine Report, 'To Err is Human,'** was published [11/99]," says Barry M. Shmookler, M.D. "With FindCancerExperts, we're actually providing a solution to one aspect of the error problem."
Shmookler cites a scientific study*** of consultation cases submitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital, which reported that error rates in the diagnosis of some types of cancer could be as high as 9.5 percent, with an average error rate of 1.4 percent. This was subsequently shown to equate to 30,000 major pathology errors per year in the US. A more recent study* disclosed a 25% major error rate in soft tissue tumor diagnosis, albeit an uncommon type of cancer, which further underscores the importance of second opinions for cancer diagnosis, he says.
"The best oncology team in the world isn't likely to obtain optimal treatment results with an inaccurate pathology diagnosis," explains Dr. Shmookler. "That's why second opinions for the biopsy [tissue sampling] diagnosis are so strongly encouraged." This approach is supported by prestigious medical societies and institutions.
Since its launch just five months ago, FindCancerExperts has seen its site traffic jump to 1200 visitors a day. This unique physician-run site aggregates difficult to find information about pathology and its crucial role in cancer diagnosis. Most importantly, patients and family members gain immediate access to the site's network of more than 60 pathology consultants. This easy availability to multiple experts in one specialty is unparalleled either on the Internet or in any medical institution, says Shmookler.
Site users can ask questions about pathology diagnosis and cancer types, though FindCancerExperts cannot recommend specific treatments or procedures. Because pathology consultation is not limited by geography, patients "...never need to leave home," Shmookler says. "Only the microscopic slides are sent to the pathologists." This means international visitors can take advantage of the service, as they can send their slides via express mail services. (Upon request, overseas visitors receive a choice of cancer institutions in the US that treat their types of cancer.)
"Our experts don't pay to be listed on the site. In fact, they're not even allowed to pay for their listing," assures Shmookler. "We select them based on the highest level of academic credentials and achievements."
The pathology consultants bill patients directly for their professional services; FindCancerExperts is not involved in the payment process. Many insurance providers cover second opinions.
About FindCancerExperts The founder and President of FindCancerExperts is Barry M. Shmookler, M.D., a renowned, Washington, DC-based surgical pathologist with more than 20 years of experience in the diagnosis of cancer. A board-certified pathologist and dermatopathologist, Dr. Shmookler has published more than 70 scientific articles and chapters. FindCancerExperts has a Medical Advisory Board of distinguished physicians in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
