Internet Links

The Internet - Searching the World Wide Web

The Internet provides a variety of information sources. Be sure, however, to choose the sources you use wisely. There is as much bad information on the worldwide web as there is good. Use sound judgment and consider the following factors:

• What is the date of the information? Make sure it is not outdated.
• Is it coming from a reputable and well-known source? Information coming from a major hospital or university is generally more credible than coming from an unknown practitioner - particularly one whose interest is in selling a product.
• Be careful of information from cancer organizations unless they are well known.
• Usually information from libraries, government agencies and professional journals is trustworthy. Always discuss any information you find on the Internet with your doctors or nurses before you try, join, or buy anything.

Phone Support/Chat Rooms

This is an area that requires you to be very cautious. Phone and Internet chat rooms can be very dangerous. As a rule, do not seek or accept advice from chat rooms or telephone help lines. The exceptions to this rule are those from well-known and credible sources. Always be careful to protect your own identity and to discuss any information you receive with your health care professionals before you act on it.

Caution is the word when seeking information, but there are, however, many reliable sources from which you may seek information. Here are some of them. To link to one of these websites, just click on its title.

• American Brain Tumor Association - funds brain tumor research and provides information to patients, www.abta.org, 800-886-2282.
• American Association of Retired People - offers useful information about advance directives, www.aarp.org, 800-424-3410.
• American Cancer Society - provides written information about cancer, cancer research, and treatment options, www.cancer.org, 800-ACS-2345.
• American Chronic Pain Association - has a network of 800 chapters that provide support for people dealing with chronic pain, www.theacpa.org, 916-632-0922.
• American Geriatrics Society - provides information about making health care decisions; legal, ethical and financial issues, www.americangeriatrics.org, 212-308-1414.
• American Red Cross - depending upon the community in which you live, may provide transportation for medical appointments, home-delivered meals, support groups, and friendly visitors, www.redcross.org.
• American Pain Society - provides information about pain treatment centers in the U.S., www.ampainsoc.org, 847-375-4715.
• Brain Tumor Society - provides resources for patients, survivors, families, friends, and professionals, www.tbts.org, 800-770-TBTS.
• Brave Kids - resource for support services for children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses. www.bravekids.org, 415-561-2393.
• Cancer Information Services - a network of regional offices sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Provides information on cancer treatment, research and resources, http://rex.nci.nih.gov, 800-4-CANCER.
• Cancer Survival Toolbox - a free set of cancer patient education audio tapes developed by a number of cancer organizations, 877-866-5748, www.cansearch.org.
• Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation - a notfor- profit organization that provides support groups for children, parents and caregivers. www.candlelighters.org, 800-366-2223.
• CaP CURE - identifies and supports prostate cancer research, www.capcure.org, 800-757-2873.
• Caregiver.com - provides an online newsletter with caregiver tips, www.caregiver.com.
• Partnership for Caring: America's Voices for the Dying - offers booklets on various end-of-life issues, including advance directives. You can also get your state's laws on medical decision making from this web site, www.choices.org, 800-989-9455.
• Encore Plus - a program of the YWCA that provides women under treatment and recovering from breast cancer with a combined peer support group and exercise program, www.ywca.org.
• Gilda's Club - provides meeting places, support and networking groups, lectures, workshops, and social events in a nonresidential, homelike setting, www.gildasclub.org, 1-888-GILDA-4-U.
• Hospice Foundation of America - provides general information about hospice care, www.hospicefoundation.org, 800-854-3402.
• International Myeloma Foundation - provides patient myeloma education and advocacy, www.myeloma.org, 800-452-2873.
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America - provides local support groups and limited financial assistance to people with leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, www.leukemia.org, 800-955-4572.
• MAMM - a magazine for women living with breast and reproductive cancers, www.MAMM.com, 212-243-2916.
• National Cancer Institute - coordinates the national cancer program, which conducts and supports research, training, and other programs, www.cancer.gov, 800-4-CANCER.
• National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship - works for quality cancer care for all by empowering survivors, www.cansearch.org, 888-NCCS-YES.
• National Family Caregivers Association - advocates on behalf of caregivers through support, education, and awareness, www.nfcacares.org, 800-896-3650.
• National Health Information Center - a health information referral service operated by the U.S. government, www.health.gov/nhic/, 800-336-4797.
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization - helps find hospices and provides informational materials, www.nhpco.org, 800-658-8898.
• National Institute on Aging - provides free materials on many topics, www.nih.gov/nia, 800-222-2225.
• National Ovarian Cancer Coalition - raises awareness and promotes education about ovarian cancer, www.ovarian.org, 888-OVARIAN.
• Needy Meds - provides free information about getting medications from pharmaceutical companies, www.needymeds.com.
• Office of Minority Health Resource Center - part of the Department of Health and Human Services, offers guide to minority health resources, 800-444-6472, www.omhrc.gov/omhrc.
• OncoLink - provides cancer-related information including reimbursement assistance and caregiver programs, www.oncolink.upenn.edu.
• Oncology Nursing Society - organization of registered nurses that works with cancer patients and has a special section of their web site with patient information, www.ons.org, 412-921-7373.
• Patient Advocate Foundation - provides education about managed care and financial issues for cancer patients, www.patientadvocate.org, 800-532-5274.
• Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America - provides a directory of drug assistance programs, www.phrma.org, 202-835-3400.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities - provides low cost lodging for families of children who are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, www.rmhc.com, 630-623-7048.
• Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - provides information about breast cancer research and breast health and a toll-free volunteer "Helpline," www.breastcancerinfo.com, 800-IM-AWARE (800-462-9273).
• Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults - provides support programs, education and resources, free of charge, to benefit young adults who are affected by cancer, www.ulmanfund.org, 888-393-FUND.
• Us Too! International, Inc. - network of chapters that provide support for men with prostate cancer and their loved ones, www.ustoo.com, 800-808-7866.
• Viatical Association of America - provides a list of companies that will buy your life insurance policy under certain conditions, www.viatical.org.
• Well Spouse Foundation - an information and education organization for caregivers, www.wellspouse.org, 800-838-0879.
• The Wellness Community - helps enhance health and well-being of cancer patients and their loved ones by providing a professional program of emotional support, education, and hope, www.wellnesscommunity.org.
• Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization - provides support groups to individuals concerned about or diagnosed with breast cancer, including a men's support line for men whose partner has breast cancer, www.y-me.org, 800-221-2141.

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