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Evidence-Based Approach to Oncology

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Oncology

Abstract

In the early years of the 21st century, clinicians and medical researchers often use the term evidence-based medicine. Cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and therapy, we hear, must be based on the best evidence to provide the best care. But is this approach new? And if it is, what have we been doing until now? In this chapter, we hope to provide perspectives on this question, by examining what evidence-based medicine (EBM)—oncology, in particular—is and is not, and by looking at the history of clinical inquiry, up to and including current research. We also hope to provide readers with a theoretical framework that will be useful in placing the results of new research into the context of existing knowledge, with the ultimate goal of improving clinical practice.

The opinions expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not represent official opinions or positions of the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the federal government.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Office of Medical Applications of Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Emily DeVoto PhD, MSPH (Health Science Policy Analyst)

  2. Office of Disease Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Barnett S. Kramer MD, MPH (Associate Director for Disease Prevention)

Authors
  1. Emily DeVoto PhD, MSPH
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  2. Barnett S. Kramer MD, MPH
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Surgery Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Alfred E. Chang MD (Hugh Cabot Professor of Surgery and Chief) (Hugh Cabot Professor of Surgery and Chief)

  2. Breast Oncology Program, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Daniel F. Hayes MD (Clinical Director) (Clinical Director)

  3. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New York University School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Harvey I. Pass MD (Professor and Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Head) (Professor and Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Head)

  4. Thoracic Oncology, New York University School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Harvey I. Pass MD (Professor and Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Head) (Professor and Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Head)

  5. Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, USA

    Richard M. Stone MD (Associate Professor and Clinical Director) (Associate Professor and Clinical Director)

  6. Adult Leukemia Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA

    Richard M. Stone MD (Associate Professor and Clinical Director) (Associate Professor and Clinical Director)

  7. Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, USA

    Patricia A. Ganz MD (American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor, Director and Professor) (American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor, Director and Professor)

  8. Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Patricia A. Ganz MD (American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor, Director and Professor) (American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor, Director and Professor)

  9. Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Timothy J. Kinsella MD (Vincent K. Smith Professor and Chairman) (Vincent K. Smith Professor and Chairman)

  10. Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA

    Joan H. Schiller MD (Melanie Heald Professor of Medical Oncology) (Melanie Heald Professor of Medical Oncology)

  11. Health Media Research Laboratory, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, USA

    Victor J. Strecher PhD, MPH (Professor and Director and Associate Director) (Professor and Director and Associate Director)

  12. Cancer Prevention and Control, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Victor J. Strecher PhD, MPH (Professor and Director and Associate Director) (Professor and Director and Associate Director)

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© 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.

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DeVoto, E., Kramer, B.S. (2006). Evidence-Based Approach to Oncology. In: Chang, A.E., et al. Oncology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-31056-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-31056-8_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-24291-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-31056-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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