An article suggesting helpful cancer resources online.
Coping with a cancer diagnosis is difficult at the best of times. There is a myriad of information to process, and no shortage of advice, suggestions, and resources to gather and explore. Sorting the good advice from the junk may be a chore you just don’t want to face at this critical time in your life.
Cancer Books: The Top 3 Reads for Dealing with a Diagnosis could get you started on a path to understanding and coping, but it is obvious there is a lot more information available to help (or hinder) you on your journey.
The internet is a credible source for valuable information, but also a tangled mess of misinformation, bad advice, “miracle cures”, and full of people trying to cash in on an illness – as horrible as this may be. Among the garbage are a few gems – sites that are useful, respected, and credible. Starting with these will hopefully keep you out of the mire that exists on the information highway.
Cancer Societies - Worldwide
Start here. If you are a Canadian or American looking for basic information, resources, explanations and assistance relating to the disease, visit the Canadian or American Cancer Society websites. Outside of North America, visit Cancer Help UK for a list of cancer organizations worldwide.
Planet Cancer is an online community for young adults dealing with cancer. Started by three young survivors, the site has garnered attention from the likes of USA Today and the Wall Street Journal, and has won numerous awards and accolades. Planet Cancer offers advice, support, opportunities and more. Bookmark it and visit often!
Livestrong – The Lance Armstrong Foundation
Armstrong’s high-profile battle with cancer was the seed that inspired the Livestrong charity. The yellow bracelets are their brainchild, and have become a powerful symbol of the fight to end the disease.
The Foundation’s website is more than just a portal for requesting donations - it is a fantastic source of information, and offers guidance on everything from cancer treatment, to research, to advocacy. One of the best sections on the site provides tools to help cancer patients manage important information during and after their treatment – including worksheets, calendars, and notebooks.
Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton launched this site as part of the Scott Hamilton CARES initiative – a charity he started to raise cancer awareness and funds for cancer research. If you have questions relating to chemotherapy – from what it is, to what it does, to how to eat when receiving treatment – this is the place to go. A truly comprehensive resource on the subject, with a breakdown of nutritional guidelines, drugs, and complete with a message board to discuss concerns and experiences.
Suggest a site! Do you know of a great cancer site, book or resource? Contact me and let me know. I will likely use selected information in upcoming articles.
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