Cancer
Cancer can affect a person in a variety of physical and emotional ways, and when you're faced with such a serious issue, you want to find the facts. Use the Cancer Web Guide to answer many of the questions you may have about cancer and direct you to the other medical and emotional support you need.
Expand All Guide SectionsCancer Overview
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, you'll find yourself wading through a lot of information to learn about this disease. The Web sites recommended in this section offer a cancer overview and link to news updates.
Insights for a Cancer Overview
- As with any health-related information search, be skeptical of the Web sites you visit. The findingDulcinea Health Web Guide offers tips on determining the credibility of health-oriented Web sites.
- Remember, there is no substitute for the advice that only your doctor can provide.
- There are several types of cancer and many of the general sites, such as the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and Cancer. Net, have specific information guides for different cancer types.
Top Sites for a Cancer Overview
To learn about cancer ...
American Cancer Society
reviews many types of cancers along with their causes, risk factors, detection and treatment. See the "Choosing a Doctor and Hospital" page for advice about selecting a physician and facility that can treat your cancer.
National Cancer Institute
is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. One helpful feature is the "Quick Links" box on the left of the page. You'll find ready access to a dictionary of cancer terms and a drug dictionary. This site contains information about clinical trials, cancer news updates and advice on how to choose a doctor and treatment facility.
Inside Cancer
was developed and is maintained by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a nonprofit research center. This Web site takes a multimedia approach to reviewing the biology of cancer. A combination of slides and videos supplements the extensive reading materials. Examine the science behind the disease, causes and prevention, and diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
For statistical information ...
Cancer Mortality Maps & Graphs
visually displays information about cancer death rates from 1950 to 1994 for more than 40 types of cancer. This site is interactive, allowing you to customize the information to suit your specific needs.
Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results
(SEER) provides a considerable amount of statistical information for several types of cancer, with information about mortality rates, prevalence, lifetime risk and survival rates. State profiles discuss specific trends for certain cancers. Start with the "Help Finding Cancer Statistics" link for guidance.
For cancer news updates ...
Cancer Prevention and Control
is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. Find information on types of cancer, prevention, research and more. This page also links to other cancer publications you may find useful.
Cancer Types
There are many cancer types, and many areas of the body that this disease can affect. Read on for informative Web sites focused on specific types of cancer.
Insights for Cancer Types
- Most types of cancer have foundations and other nonprofit organizations dedicated to research and education. Some of these organizations are recommended below.
- For more information on specific types of cancer, don't miss our Web Guides to Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Leukemia, Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Skin Cancer and Testicular Cancer.
Top Sites for Cancer Types
For cancers affecting women ...
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
provides information on the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer and participation in clinical trials, as well as advocacy and awareness issues. Read about ovarian cancer myths, prevention, risk and hereditary factors, and find screening tools and treatment information.
Imaginis
is a highly awarded information resource for breast cancer and women's health issues. At this site, you'll find general information about breast cancer, breast treatment and cosmetic/reconstructive surgery. The site also features breast cancer news and a video on conducting a self exam.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
is a network of breast cancer survivors and activists. You'll find basic facts plus information about diagnosis, treatment and screening for breast cancer.
For cancers affecting men ...
The Testicular Cancer Resource Center,
created by cancer survivors and reviewed by a medical advisory board, is for people who want to learn about testicular cancer. Read topics such as fertility and testicular cancer, chemotherapy and questions to ask before surgery. There are also instructions for performing monthly self exams, and a support section with personal stories and private e-mail support.
Prostate Cancer Foundation,
founded by Michael Milken in 1993, has information about screening for prostate cancer, noticing its symptoms and being aware of risk factors. Download or order booklets called "An Introduction to Prostate Cancer," "Nutrition, Exercise and Prostate Cancer Guide," and "Report to the Nation on Prostate Cancer: A Guide for Men and Their Families." For updates about prostate cancer developments, subscribe to the newsletter.
Male Breast Cancer Resource Center,
created by Men's Health with information from the Mayo Clinic, aims to educate men about the realities of male breast cancer. Learn the basic facts of male breast cancer, its signs and symptoms, and breast cancer treatment options. The "For Women Only" section offers women advice about supporting a man with breast cancer.
For specific types of cancer ...
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
funds blood cancer research, education and patient services. This site features a call center for patients to use if they have questions about blood cancers. Check the "Financial Support" section if you have questions about receiving financial reimbursement for certain aspects of cancer treatment, insurance forms or employment issues.
Colon Cancer Alliance,
an alliance of patients, caregivers and an esteemed medical advisory board, provides information for people affected by colorectal cancer. Find an overview of the disease, its symptoms and screening techniques.
UrologyHealth.org
was created in partnership with the American Urological Association Foundation. Click on either "Adult Conditions" or "Pediatric Conditions," and then select "Cancers" to find information about specific cancer types. This site also features an option for finding board-certified urologists.
Kidney Cancer Association,
like many other foundation sites, contains information about clinical trials, surgical treatment and therapies, and has cancer news updates. You'll also find information about starting a support group, or you can access a message board for survivors.
Sarcoma Alliance
provides guidance, education and support for patients or others coping with sarcoma. Learn what sarcoma is, find a sarcoma center, review complementary therapies or participate in discussion boards and a chat room. Free registration is required to post in the chat room and message boards.
The Carcinoid Cancer Foundation
is directed toward medical professionals and patients, caregivers and friends of people with carcinoid cancer. This site also links to online support groups and personal Web sites of people with carcinoid cancer.
The Oral Cancer Foundation
offers information about mouth, tongue and throat cancer. This site also emphasizes the possible connection between tobacco use and the occurrence of oral cancer. A thorough emotional support section for people affected by oral cancer is also available.
Eye Cancer Network
aims to educate patients with eye cancer about their condition. Find information about the eye and questions related to treating eye cancer, along with specific conditions and their treatments. You can also post messages on a public bulletin board after registering (it's free).
Lung Cancer.org
discusses the basics of lung cancer, as well as treatment and clinical trials. Find information about online lung cancer support groups and financial assistance services.
Skin Cancer Foundation
provides an overview of different types of skin cancers along with information on self exams, sunscreen, protecting your eyes and more.
Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment can range from conventional to alternative, and you can learn about many of these treatments on the Web. Whatever approach you're considering, make sure to discuss your feelings and questions with a qualified medical professional.
Insights for Cancer Treatment
- For information about top-ranked hospitals, see this review from U.S. News & World Report. Search by hospital name in the A-Z index, or by specialty.
- Some of the sites we recommend here have a "key questions to ask" section, which can help you learn the important questions you should ask your doctor about your cancer treatment.
Top Sites for Cancer Treatment
To learn what to do after your diagnosis ...
The Cancer Information Network
emphasizes the steps cancer patients need to take after their initial cancer diagnosis. Learn how to understand your cancer prognosis, what questions to ask your doctor and about different types of cancer therapy.
For conventional and alternative cancer treatments ...
Chemotherapy.com
talks about what chemotherapy is and how it treats some types of cancer. The "Tools and Resources" area has informative articles on managing health insurance, recouping medical expenses on tax returns and organizational tools you might consider using during your cancer treatment.
By My Side
discusses the side effects and effective management of chemotherapy. From the "Cancer Treatment Information" page, you can find information about why chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are used to treat cancer. Also check the "Chemotherapy Side Effects" and the "Managing Side Effects" pages for advice about dealing with chemotherapy treatment. The "By My Side Support Network" link takes you to a registration for a chemotherapy newsletter and to a live phone support link.
Moores UCSD Cancer Center
provides information about complementary and alternative cancer therapies. Note that a lot of information at this site is specific to patients using the Moores facility but it is possible to request an appointment at Moores Cancer Center online.
For cancer medication and nutrition information ...
Office of Oncology Drug Products
is a site from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration designed to provide information about cancer and approved cancer drug therapies. Find information on new drug product approvals, and publications and presentations of interest.
Nutrition.gov
provides a great deal of general and specific information on food and nutrition. Visit "Nutrition and Health Issues" link to learn how nutrition corresponds with the prevention and management of certain medical conditions, including cancer.
For cancer research and clinical trials ...
Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups
assists cancer patients, members of the medical community and patient advocates in finding and/or participating in clinical trials for cancer treatments. For each of these three groups, you'll find a toolkit of information to help locate clinical trials (and notify patients, if applicable).
Association of Cancer Online Resources
(ACOR) is a collection of online communities providing timely information about cancer. The "Clinical Trials" page teaches readers how to find a clinical trial, answers frequently asked questions about clinical trials and provides information necessary to understand how new cancer drugs are developed.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
focuses more on the research aspects of cancer and other diseases. The "Our Research" page provides a list of cancers and other disorders that the Center studies. The clinical trials search available from the "Our Research" page locates clinical trials conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Center, the University of Washington and Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center.
Find a Cancer Center
Finding a cancer center is going to be one of the most important decisions you make when you or a loved one faces cancer. You can learn much about a hospital's treatment programs by visiting its Web site. In this section, we've included some of the best.
Insights for Finding a Cancer Center
- There are many well-established cancer treatment centers in the United States, and we've included just a few in this guide as a sample. If the facilities we've listed here aren't close to you, try typing "cancer treatment center" and your city or state into your favorite search engine to find a closer facility. Your doctor may be able to recommend good treatment centers as well.
- The children's hospitals listed in this section made a "Best Children's Hospitals" list composed by Parents magazine.
Top Sites for Finding a Cancer Center
For general cancer treatment centers ...
Cancer Treatment Centers of America
specialize in treating many different types of cancer. Find information on the types of cancer treated, hospital locations and cancer treatments.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
explains treatment options for several types of cancer (select your type of cancer from the dropdown menu in the middle of the homepage). Click the "Patient Care" tab to make an appointment at Sloan-Kettering, find treatment center locations and find a doctor at Sloan-Kettering. The "Cancer-Related Resources on Other Web Sites" option directs you to resources to help manage your cancer.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
discusses the cancer treatment options and patient services offered at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Check the "Care Centers and Clinics" page to learn about specific departments that treat different types of cancer.
The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
at Johns Hopkins is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a comprehensive cancer center. Use the "For Our Patients and Families" link to make an appointment at the Kimmel Center and to find contact information for the specialty centers and clinics at Johns Hopkins.
For children's cancer treatment centers ...
Seattle Children's Hospital
isn't specifically focused on cancer, but does provide a full range of care for cancer and blood disorders. Find information on their cancer program, the conditions treated and more.
The Children's Hospital
of the University of Colorado provides accessible resources about the cancer treatment program at this facility. Review the specialized treatment programs available, find a doctor and request an appointment online.
Texas Children's Hospital
contains a cancer center and hematology service page discussing the treatment programs and centers available. Find logistical information such as making an appointment at Texas Children's Hospital, arranging housing, and maps and driving directions.
UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital
has a Hematology/Oncology page that links to a variety of treatment and cancer center information. Learn about the physicians at the Rainbow Babies facility and request an appointment. This site has a unique "Ask a Question" feature that allows you to fill in a short form to submit a question to the Rainbow Babies hospital.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
has a very thorough "Patients & Parents" section with a specific focus on children being treated at St. Jude. The "Medical Terminology & Drug Database" section can be helpful to anyone doing research.
Cancer and Health Insurance
Juggling cancer and health insurance issues can feel overwhelming. The Web has resources to help you figure it all out.
Insights for Cancer and Health Insurance
- Despite the information you find on the Web, you should still read your insurance policy thoroughly and contact either your insurance company or someone who specializes in dealing with health insurance if you have questions about your coverage.
- Some of the sites mentioned in previous sections of this guide, such as the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society offer health insurance information.
- For more information, see the health insurance section of the findingDulcinea Health Guide.
Top Sites for Cancer and Health Insurance
CancerEducation
offers a Webcast focused on teaching cancer patients and survivors what they need to know about health insurance. To listen to the lecture, you must have RealOne Player installed on your computer.
The National Women's Health Information Center
explains what health insurance is, and addresses issues of women who are not insured and who might not qualify for government assistance programs. Read the information online or download a printable PDF version of the article.
U.S. Department of Labor
offers "Your Rights After A Mastectomy," an article that explains insurance requirements and the rights of women under Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA).
American Cancer Society
hosts Dr. Len's Cancer Blog, written by Dr. J. Leonard Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for the national office of the American Cancer Society. This blog entry addresses some insurance issues patients may face during cancer treatment.
Childhood Cancer
Hearing that your child has cancer can be frightening news. You might find yourself wondering how cancer treatment might affect your child, or where you can find cancer treatment centers that specialize in caring for children. Use the sites below to answer your questions on childhood cancer.
Insights for Childhood Cancer
- Much like adult cancer cases, the information available for childhood cancer is abundant. Remember that the information you find on the Web about childhood cancer should be used in addition to, not in place of, the advice you'll receive from your child's doctors.
- Many hospitals have guest quarters where visitors can stay for a few days to be near a loved one in the hospital. For more extended stays, consider visiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities Web site.
- There are many good treatment centers that work with children who have cancer. We've included Web sites for some of those centers in the "Find a Cancer Center" section of this guide.
Top Sites for Childhood Cancer
For information about childhood cancer types and treatment ...
Childhood Cancer Guides
provides summaries of printed guides for parents of children with cancer. Guides about child brain and spinal cord tumors, childhood leukemia, childhood solid tumors and childhood cancer survivors are available for purchase.
Pediatric Oncology Resource Center
provides a "Signs of Childhood Cancer" page that offers some symptoms of childhood cancer, and also extends support for families of children with cancer. Look for sections on dealing with grief, survivorship and activism.
Cancer Pain Management in Children
explains what pain is, how to manage it and how pain is assessed in children. This site is meant for medical professionals but a glossary has been provided for others reading the information.
For help explaining cancer to kids...
KidsHealth
has an article with simplified explanations of cancer and its treatments, written in a friendly, non-threatening tone for kids.
Health24
gives parents some tips for explaining cancer to a child based on that child's age and mental and emotional maturity. This article links to a series of other articles of interest.
To find cancer support resources for parents ...
CureSearch
is the Web site of the Children's Oncology Group (COG) and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation. The "For Parents/Families" section has information for newly diagnosed patients, teaches the risks and benefits of treatment, and contains a resource directory of national and local support for children with cancer.
Families of Children with Cancer Organization
contains information for families coping with childhood cancer. Find a list of hospitals in several states that have oncology departments that treat children, along with games for children to print and play. The site also provides articles for families of children dealing with cancer.
Foundation for Children with Cancer
is a resource for families seeking financial support to help with the health care costs of a child who has cancer. The Foundation helps by providing assistance with mortgage payments, insurance premiums and utility bills. Use the "Contact Us" link to send a message to the Foundation.
The Never-Ending Squirrel Tale
provides encouraging and humorous support and stories for parents of children with cancer. If you could use a laugh, start by reading the "Parents Share ..." and the "Share a Smile" sections.
Cancer Kids
shares the personal stories of children who have, or who have beaten, cancer. The site links to the Web pages of children who are battling cancer and has a message board where you can connect with others.
Cancer Support
Whether you're coping with a recent cancer diagnosis, seeking support during treatment or you're a friend or caregiver to someone with cancer, the emotions you experience and questions you have can be overwhelming. The Web has online communities and resources that provide cancer support.
Insights for Cancer Support
- The Web is full of sites established by foundations specific to a certain type of cancer. Look for specialized information and support from these sites.
- If you prefer meeting with someone face to face rather than going online for support, read "How To Find Resources in Your Own Community If You Have Cancer" from the National Cancer Institute.
- In-person support groups in small cities or towns might be hard to find on the Web. Doctors, nurses or other people who work with cancer patients may know about local support groups in your area.
- Blogs can be a good place to read about someone else's experiences with cancer. We've included a few such blogs in this section.
Top Sites for Cancer Support
For guidance and support during and after cancer treatment ...
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
advocates for quality cancer care for all Americans. Don't miss "The Cancer Survival Toolbox," an audio program that helps people meet the challenges of cancer.
Lance Armstrong Foundation
provides access to cancer support with survivor stories, brochures, a support hotline and ways to get involved in the fight against cancer. Use the "Get Organized" section for printable worksheets that help you organize your cancer treatment.
Cancer.Net
discusses cancer types, diagnosis and treatment while the "Coping" section is focused more on dealing with the emotional issues surrounding cancer, such as caregiving and grief. Also look at the "Survivorship" page, which helps you work through your rehabilitation and learn to adjust to life following treatment.
OncoChat IRC Channel
is a real-time, online chat service for people affected by cancer. There is no medical advice or professional counseling offered at this site; this is an online community of peers. Click the "Chat Now!" link to start chatting.
Cancer Hope Network
connects people with cancer to a network support volunteer. This support service is one-on-one, confidential and free.
Cancer Support Community
has message boards for cancer patients and their caregivers. You must register to access message boards at this site (it's free). Once you have completed the first level of registration, you then provide specific information about your diagnosis in an online form and in a phone interview for the ability to access online support groups.
Group Loop
is an online support site for teens with cancer and their parents. The site features a "teens talk 2 teens" section with online support groups and discussion boards. Check the "cancer, school & you" section for advice about preparing to return to school.
National Collegiate Cancer Foundation
offers support for college students with cancer. Check the "Scholarships" page for instructions on applying for a scholarship created by the Foundation. The "Survivorship" page takes you to stories of cancer survivors, information resources and an "LOL" page of humorous jokes.
Cancer and Careers
teaches working women with cancer how to manage stress at work, who to tell about their cancer and how to deal with the physical changes caused by cancer. Employers can learn how to help an employee with cancer, the laws that must be followed and best practices to use for maintaining continuity in the workplace during an employee's illness. Coworkers and caregivers can learn how to relate compassionately with a cancer patient.
For cancer blogs ...
Life with Cancer
is a blog written by Erin Zammett Ruddy, a Glamour magazine editor with leukemia. Even though the blog came to an end in June 2009, her posts on living with cancer, deciding to have a baby and keeping up at her job are still relevant.
NPR
hosts "Our Cancer," a blog started by journalist Leroy Sievers that mixed discussions about his career and his life goals with his feelings about living with cancer. When Sievers passed away in 2008, his blog, "My Cancer," became "Our Cancer," a community blog by "a group of people who were brought together" by Sievers.
Life After Cancer
Dealing with a cancer diagnosis, treatment regimens and support issues all play major roles in your experience with cancer but the issues don't all go away when the cancer does. The Web contains a bounty of information on life after cancer.
Insights for Life After Cancer
- The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and Cancer.Net are just two of many sites that contain information about cancer survivorship.
Top Sites for Life After Cancer
National Cancer Institute
teaches cancer survivors and caregivers about life after cancer treatment, and possible side effects that could appear after treatment is over. You'll also find information about survivorship research and cancer survivorship meetings.
OncoLink
calls itself the "Web's First Cancer Resource." The OncoLife survivorship care plan is a free service designed to help cancer survivors understand health risks they may face due to their cancer treatment. The "Ask the Experts" section offers the opportunity to ask questions about cancer topics.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
has a renowned survivorship program. At the "Support Services" page, learn about counseling services offered to cancer patients, support for newly diagnosed and older cancer patients, and support for friends and loved ones of a cancer patient.
National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation
hosts events all over the United States and in a handful of countries around the world. Learn where you can attend a NCSD event or plan one in your area using their free planning kit.
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