The Internet is a wild frontier whose landscape changes frequently. It contains all sorts of health information—good and bad, true and false, complete and dangerously incomplete. Before you act on anything you learn online, we recommend that you check with your doctor.

If you obtain health information from any website on the internet, we suggest you evaluate the information according to the following guidelines:

If you obtain health information from any website on the Internet, we suggest you evaluate the information according to the following guidelines:

• Check the site’s URL (web address). The last segment of the URL (.com, .org, etc), gives a general indication of the organization sponsoring the site.
  .edu: site provided by a university or a learning institution
  .gov: site provided by a government agency
  .com: site provided by a commercial company
  .org: site provided by a non-profit organization
• Read the “About us” or “Who are we?” section on each site. A reputable site should include this section. This is where you can learn about the credentials and intentions of the organization and/or site’s creator.
• Check the date the information was last revised. Look for sites that offer fresh content that is updated regularly.
• Stick by government or university run sites for clinical content. Other credible sources include medical associations and hospitals.
• Remember: the information on email groups, blogs, and chats is anecdotal and not scientifically proven. As always, check this information with your doctor.

www.circusofcancer.org

Circus of Cancer was formed by Kelly Corrigan, author of The Middle Place, founder of Circus of Cancer, columnist Kelly was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in August 2004. The site offers those basic details that can so quickly be forgotten. A wonderfully inviting site that is non clinical and incredibly comfortabling. You can see Kelly’s writing at www.kellycorrigan.com.

www.cancersupportsonoma.org

Cancer Support Sonoma is a new resource in Sonoma County (Northern California) committed to providing support services and information to cancer patients, their families and friends. It's first projects are this web site and the Cancer Buddy Network. CSS in a non-partisan group made up of representatives from Sonoma County's hospitals, local and national non-profit organizations that serve cancer patients and members of the community. 

www.cancerhopenetwork.org

The Cancer Hope Network provides individual support to cancer patients and their families by matching them with trained volunteers who have undergone and recovered from a similar cancer experience.

www.cancercare.org

Cancer Care, Inc. is a national nonprofit agency that offers free support, information, financial assistance, and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones. Services are available in person, over the phone, and through the agency's website. Spanish language help available.

www.canscervive.org

For the past 17 years, Cancervive has provided counseling, education and advocacy to cancer patients, family members and health professionals. Our patient education materials (books, documentary videos and games) are being used and valued in every major cancer center.

www.cancer.org

Official website of the American Cancer Society. This comprehensive site includes detailed explanations of specific cancers, and information on all aspects of living with cancer, making decisions, and coping with side effects. A separate news section contains articles on new therapies and developments.

www.youngsurvival.org

This website has information and resources for and about young women affected by breast cancer.

www.cancersymptoms.org

The Oncology Nursing Society provides information for patients and caregivers on managing the six most common cancer treatment symptoms: fatigue, anorexia, pain, depression, neutropenia, and cognitive dysfunction.

www.oncolink.com

Provided by the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, this site provides journal scans and links to printable versions of articles in medical journals related to cancer. The "Ask the Experts" section enables users to submit questions to be answered by a panel of medical experts. The site also includes a news section featuring lay language articles on new developments in cancer.

www.cancer.gov

This site is hosted by the National Cancer Institute. You will find valuable cancer-related information of all kinds. Information is presented to the general public, patients, and health professionals. The site offers consumer-oriented information on a wide range of topics as well as comprehensive descriptions of research programs and clinical trials.

www.ulmanfund.org

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults support programs embraces both cancer survivors and their families and friends. They believe a cancer survivor is anyone who is living with, through, and beyond cancer. They welcome cancer survivors who are experiencing young adult specific issues associated with their cancer diagnosis, treatment, or survivorship.

www.livestrong.org

The Lance Armstrong Foundation, inspires and empower people affected by cancer. They believe that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. They provide the practical information and tools people with cancer need to live life on their own terms. They take aim at the gaps between what is known and what is done to prevent suffering and death due to cancer. They unite people to fight cancer.

www.planetcancer.org

Planet Cancer is a community of young adults with cancer. (You know, that age between "pediatric" and "geriatric," where no one knows whether to give you a lollipop or have a serious talk about your fiber intake.) It's a place to share insights, explore our fears, laugh, or even give the finger to cancer with others who just plain get it. We don't deny the dark side of illness and death here. But we also firmly believe that laughter and light can turn up in the strangest places.

www.cancercare.org

This organization provides free professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved. Programs include counseling, education, financial assistance and practical help.

www.peoplelivingwithcancer.org

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) provides an excellent site to keep up with new developments in cancer research and treatment. The site includes a news database, abstracts, treatment guidelines, information from ASCO meetings and online discussions with oncologists.

Blogs are online diaries published by users on the World Wide Web. Many blogs are written by cancer survivors describing their experiences with the disease and its treatment. One must remember that the facts published on blogs may sometimes be erroneous, and the personal experiences of the blogger may not always be relevant to the reader. Information obtained from blogs should be carefully checked for accuracy and currency before making any treatment decisions.

www.caringbridge.org

Caringbridge offers free websites people who need to keep others informed during a significant life event. The site offers easy to launch website templates and provides and excellent opportunity for children to create their own website during a parents cancer diagnosis.

www.carepages.com

Carepages is another site that offers free websites people who need to keep others informed during a significant life event. The site offers easy to launch website templates and provides and excellent opportunity for children to create their own website during a parent's cancer diagnosis

www.cancerheroes.org

Stories of Cancer Heroes provides an opportunity for each child, youth, adult and/or their families who have experienced Cancer, to write and publish their stories at no cost. This service is offered to ensure that heroes will be remembered and legacies will be preserved.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Administers the Medicare program, and works in partnership with the states to administer Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and health insurance portability standards. CMS works closely with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide information about Medicare to beneficiaries applying for, or currently receiving, retirement or disability benefits at local SSA district offices.

Patient Advocate Foundation

The Patient Advocate Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that serves as an active liaison between patients and their insurers, employers and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job discrimination, and/or debt crisis matters related to their diagnosis. It seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation, assuring access to care, maintenance of employment, and preservation of financial stability.

Social Security Administration (SSA)

Provides a monthly income for eligible elderly and disabled individuals. Information on eligibility, coverage, and how to apply for benefits is available from the Social Security Administration.

Resources

• Introduction
• Speaking to Your Children
• Information for Teens
• Glossary of Terms
• Books
• Internet Resources