Cancer Types
Cancer comes in many different forms. To learn more about the variety of cancers one could get, click on the tabs below.
American Brain Tumor Association – www.abta.org
Promotes brain tumor research and provides a hub for patient support resources. The site contains links to a full range of support options; offers a pen-pal program and will help individuals start their own support group
BreastCancer.org – www.breastcancer.org
You can try the Breast Cancer Coach feature at this physician reviewed site to identify questions you might want to ask your physician. The site hosts Ask the Expert Online conferences, discussion boards, and chat rooms, info on every aspect of breast cancer. Sections also cover handling expenses and breast cancer in the workplace.
Breast Cancer Support – www.bcsupport.org
BCS is primarily an online community that offers a discussion forum for people with a diagnosis of breast cancer or their caregivers and family members. It is designed for women with all types of breast cancer, at all stages. Individual boards cover specific topics. Site posts daily links to the latest research news in breast cancer.
National Breast Cancer Foundation – www.nationalbreastcancer.org
Funds free mammograms for women who cannot afford them. Includes fact sheets on risks, diagnosis, and treatment; and an interactive video guide called “Beyond the Shock.” You can register for online message boards and use tools to create an early detection plan.
Colon Cancer Alliance – www.ccalliance.org
Promotes community interaction through message boards, chat rooms, expert-mediated discussions, and a helpline. Individuals can create their own pages. Additional resources include a newsletter, videos, book reviews, and clinical trial updates. Visitors can search for a local CCA chapter to seek direct support.
Gynecological Cancers (Ovarian, Cervical)
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation – www.thegcf.org
Women can order free brochures and educational material on all major gynecologic cancers. GCF is affiliated with the Women’s Cancer Network (www.wcn.org), which features a searchable database of gynecologic oncologist cancer specialists. Patients can call GCF’s hotline for assistance.
Kidney Cancer
American Kidney Fund – www.kidneyfund.org
Awards patient grants to cover a variety of expenses, including dialysis, medication, insurance premiums, and travel. AKF offers a toll-free, nationwide helpline in both English and Spanish. Provides in-depth information on kidney health. Visitors will also find a newsletter, kidney health card, and free kidney health brochures.
Kidney Cancer Association – www.kidneycancer.org
The Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) connects patients and families through its community forum chat rooms. Site visitors can also access a nurse helpline and a clinical trial matching and referral service. Other KCA resources include a newsletter, Podcasts, and videos.
Leukemia & Lymphoma
International Myeloma Foundation – www.myeloma.org
Offers a free software program designed to manage patient treatment data. Site visitors will also find contacts and meeting locations for support groups across the US. Other resources include a helpline, listserv, online support group, a free information pack, and free downloadable publications on various aspects of myeloma care. There is also an archive of educational webcasts.
LymphomaInfo – www.lymphomainfo.net
Provides facts on several types of lymphoma and includes a glossary of lymphoma terms. Patients are invited to blog about their experience. The site also lists links to the latest stories about lymphoma in the news.
Liver Cancer
About Liver Tumors – www.aboutlivertumors.com
Primarily an educational resource that details diagnosis and treatment options. Visitors can use the Ask a Professional tool to submit a question to the site’s contributing physicians.
Lung Cancer
American Lung Association – www.lungusa.org
Besides handling all types of lung disease, it includes information specifically for patients with lung cancer. ALA offers a free interactive tool that produces treatment-option reports tailored to patients’ diagnoses. Provides a helpline and a newsletter and outlines several ALA-sponsored programs to help people quit smoking, recognizing that smoking is a common cause of lung cancer.
LungCancer.org – www.lungcancer.org
This website has a section called Lung Cancer 101 for new patients. It also discusses the different types of lung cancer, as well as diagnosis, treatment, symptoms, and staging. At the site, you can sign up for the newsletter or order free copies of CancerCare publications and education booklets. You can also visit the online support groups.
Lung Cancer Center – www.lungcancercenter.com
The Lung Cancer Center provides the latest information about lung cancer and related illnesses. This site strives to connect lung cancer patients and their families with the educational, medical, and legal resources they need.
Lung Cancer Circle of Hope – www.lungcancercircleofhope.org
Contains a detailed explanation of how the lungs work, access statistics on various types of cancer, and view information on the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer. Visitors can also subscribe to the group’s newsletter or read lung cancer news online.
Mesothelioma – www.mesotheliomahub.com
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining in the lungs, abdomen, and heart due to exposure to asbestos. This website takes a deeper look into mesothelioma and what one can do if affected by it.
Oral Cancer (Head & Neck)
Oral Cancer Foundation – www.oralcancerfoundation.org
Engages in fundraising and public outreach to increase awareness of oral cancer. In addition to providing statistics and a forum, the site contains the Webcast “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Mouth Cancer.” Visitors can receive oral cancer updates by signing up for OCF’s newsletter.
New Mouth – www.newmouth.com
New Mouth provides patients with a new way to learn about oral health. Their team of medical writers and dentists provide the most up-to-date dental information in every vertical, including general, pediatric, restorative, cosmetic, and orthodontics.
SPOHNC: Support for people with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer – www.spohnc.org
Provides treatment information for patients who have oral and head and neck cancers. Regularly publishes a newsletter. The site features teleconferences and mails a free booklet to patients.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer Action – www.pancan.org
Available in English and Spanish; provides detailed information on diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Patients can order a free packet of materials or call to speak one-on-one with a Patient and Liaison Services Associate.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Foundation – www.prostatecancerfoundation.org
Offers information on prostate cancer screening, treatments and their side effects, and the latest research. Patients can order or download “An Introduction to Prostate Cancer” and receive advice on how to talk about their diagnosis. The site also lists clinical trails.
Testicular Cancer
The Testicular Cancer Resource Center – www.tcrc.acor.org
Provides information on testicular and extragonadal germ cell tumors for patients, caregivers, family, friends, and physicians.
TC Cancer.com – www.tc-cancer.com
Provides education and support to men with testicular cancer and their caregivers. It offers a wealth of fact sheets, a glossary, active patient forums and blogs, and personal stories. A testicular cancer links section lists additional resources with individual summaries.