GE Web site educates about breast cancer

GE Medical Systems is collaborating with a half-dozen healthcare and cancer resource agencies to roll out a Web site for women who want information about breast care and cancer.

The site, www.herSource.com, was unveiled at a press conference in February along with the Senographe 2000D, GE’s full-field digital mammography unit that has since gained FDA clearance (SCAN 3/15/00). Digital mammography and the Senographe 2000D are featured in the site’s treatment section, along with MR, ultrasound, and PET information.

Diagnostic and treatment information on the site will extend beyond radiology in the future, said Janet Lippincott, manager of www.herSource.com.

“We are trying to make sure people are aware of all different types of procedures,” she said.

Users can also find breast cancer statistics, definitions associated with the disease, a list of FDA-approved breast imaging centers, and financial information. Clinical information on the site is provided by the National Cancer Institute, the FDA, and other sources.

A disclaimer reads that GE cannot provide site users with medical advice, but patients can use www.herSource.com to link up with an interactive consultant on a Web site run by the U.S. Department of Defense, which has a medical research component. The Department of Defense funded development of the link, titled the Breast Cancer Decision Guide, where women with pathology and biopsy reports can obtain more information about the results.

The Web site is paid for by GE Medical Systems, which envisions it as a nonprofit venture. In addition, GE has plans to construct more Web sites that explore other healthcare issues in the future, said Tesha Urban, GE spokesperson.