Surfing for Answers:
Our medical librarian selects best online cancer resources so you don't have to
If you think you can trust the results of your latest
Google search on cancer, click again. And again. And again.
It's important to use trusted resources when it comes to your health or that of a loved one, but verifying a cancer website's
credentials is a multistep -- and often time-consuming -- process.
"You want to make sure that the information you find on the Internet has the same level of credibility as your physician," says Ruti Volk, M.S.I., A.H.I.P., the University of Michigan
Health System's Patient Education librarian and former manager of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center's Patient Education Resource Center. "It's
important to check a website's credentials, because if you base a decision on bad, inaccurate or outdated information, you can really cause
yourself a lot of harm," she says.
Volk, an award-winning medical librarian, shares her choices for the best online cancer resources so cancer patients, their family and friends can focus on what's
important: time together.
American Cancer Society
Who runs it: The American Cancer
Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based organization that supports patients, survivors and caregivers throughout their
cancer experience; funds cancer research; and works with lawmakers to promote beneficial policies, laws and regulations.
What you'll find: This website covers it all, from detailed summaries for specific
types of cancer to extensive information on staying healthy and finding support. Browse the website to learn more about developing
healthy habits, making cancer-related decisions and coping with treatment side effects. ACS packs in a lot of information,
but section overviews make it easier to locate what you need. The organization also offers the Clinical Trials Matching Service,
a free program to help cancer patients find clinical trials that may be right for them.
Visit: cancer.org.
American Society of Clinical Oncology's Cancer.net
Who runs it: Cancer.net is the patient information website of the American
Society of Clinical Oncology, a nonprofit organization of nearly 30,000 oncology practitioners that aims to improve cancer
care and prevention.
Click Blue, too!
In addition to our website, there are other web resources of interest:
mCancerTalk.org
We've launched mCancerTalk.org to
provide you with a new, interactive place
to learn about better ways to live with
cancer. Here you'll find links to more stories
like the ones you find in Thrive as well as
online chats with experts, including our
Cancer AnswerLine oncology nurses, and
patient and caregiver discussion groups.
UMclinicalstudies.org
Would you like to know more about how
you can advance cancer research? Find
out how you can participate in a clinical
research study at UMclinicalstudies.org.
Search our database of open trials and
sign up for regular updates tailored just
for you.
What you'll find: All information is oncologist-approved, providing
visitors with the latest research news, treatment guidelines and online discussions with oncologists. This website offers free
audio podcasts and videos on various cancer-related topics, as well as in-depth guides on coping with cancer and survivorship.
Cancer.net dedicates an entire section to those who have recently been diagnosed with cancer to help guide them
through the process. The site suggests questions patients should ask providers and explains the oncology team's role in cancer care.
Visit: cancer.net.
The Cancer Journey
Who runs it: The Cancer Journey was created through the expertise and resources
of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), the world's largest professional oncology association. ONS includes more than 37,000
registered nurses and other health care providers dedicated to excellence in patient care, education, research and administration.
What you'll find: This website focuses on managing side effects and symptoms
during and after cancer treatment. The Cancer Journey summarizes research on ways to better manage cancer-related
symptoms. All information is reviewed by ONS experts. For those who need help making cancer treatment decisions, The
Cancer Journey offers a free tool called the Cancer Profiler, which uses a questionnaire to match a patient's diagnosis, diagnostic
results and disease stage with relevant treatment options. Another unique feature is "Traveling Companions," a blog written
by oncology nurses and caregiver experts to provide support and advice to patients and their caregivers.
Visit: thecancerjourney.org.
National Cancer Institute
Who runs it: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is part of the National
Institutes of Health, one of 11 agencies in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
What you'll find: This website features the Physician Data Query, NCI's comprehensive
cancer database. It contains peer-reviewed, evidence-based summaries on treatment of adult and childhood cancer
types and supportive care topics. Oncology specialists update these statements monthly. The site also has a database of cancer clinical
trials, which can be searched based on cancer type or condition, stage, trial status and more. A comprehensive cancer term
dictionary helps translate confusing medical jargon into everyday language. Visit: cancer.gov.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Visit: nccn.com
Who runs it: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a
nonprofit alliance of 21 of the world's leading cancer centers -- including the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center -- dedicated
to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer.
What you'll find: Physicians worldwide use the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines
in Oncology -- the most comprehensive and most frequently updated clinical practice guidelines -- to make sure their treatment
decisions are well informed. The NCCN currently offers guidelines for patients with breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer,
melanoma, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer and ovarian cancer (with more being added). This website also includes information
for family, friends and caregivers of cancer patients, including a new column on caregiving from Jai Pausch, wife of
Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture).
CancerCare
Who runs it: CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization.
What you'll find: This organization provides free, professional support services
for anyone affected by cancer. Services include free counseling sessions with an oncology social worker and various opportunities to
connect with support groups or participate in free educational workshops about cancer-related issues. CancerCare also offers specialized services
for parents; women; young adults; and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
Visit: cancercare.org.
Cancer Support Community
Who runs it: Popular cancer support programs Gilda's Club and the Wellness
Community recently merged to create The Cancer Support Community, an international nonprofit organization that is the
largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health professionals in the United
States.
What you'll find: This organization
offers support groups, lectures, workshops and social events for people affected by cancer, including patients, family members
and friends. The website allows users to get support and participate in programs online through a free registration process. The site
covers a wide range of topics, from being newly diagnosed to survivorship and caring for cancer patients. A video journal option
allows you to share your story with others..
Visit: thewellnesscommunity.org.
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