Managing cancer is overwhelming and scary for patients and their families. We hope you find these resources for cancer patients helpful.
American Cancer Society
800-227-2345
This nonprofit provides information based on cancer type or a wide variety of topics. You can find a local support group, or join online groups and message boards. Additionally, the organization operates Hope Lodge and has arrangements with hotels to provide free or low-cost housing to patients and family caregivers traveling for treatment. The information on the site is available in Spanish; written materials are available in several Asian languages. There is a hotline available 24/7 (800-227-2345) with specialists who can answer a wide variety of questions related to cancer, insurance, employment rights and more.
Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW)
215-599-6093
This nonprofit offers cancer support and tips for cancer survivors and caregivers. The website provides links to information on a variety of topics, including financial resources, insurance information, and hospice resources. Use the online database to find an oncology social worker in your area.
Cancer.net
This website is run by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), a professional organization for oncology doctors. The site provides information on a wide variety of topics, including information on specific cancers, navigating cancer care, coping with cancer, research and advocacy and survivorship. Additionally, you can search for cancer doctors. Information is available in Spanish.
CancerCare
800-813-4673
This nonprofit offers online and face-to-face support groups that connect you with other people in similar situations. All support groups are free and are led by a professional oncology social worker. The free hotline, staffed by social workers, is available to provide help with the emotional and practical challenges of cancer (800-813-4673; Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 7 pm Eastern Time; Friday: 9 am – 5 pm Eastern Time). They also provide online resources with articles covering a wide range of topics, including information on specific cancers, caregiving, coping with cancer and treatment/research advances. They offer limited financial and co-pay assistance, and their social workers can help you find additional resources. Website information is available in Spanish.
Cancer and Careers
This organization is part of the CEW Foundation, the charitable arm of the Cosmetic Executive Women, Inc. The site offers free publications, support groups, and educational seminars for employees with cancer. Online resources include “Ask a Career Coach”, a blog that covers a wide range of topics including career change, work/life/cancer balance, and image/professionalism. Start your own discussion if you don’t see your questions covered. Their “Job Search Tools” include an interview sheet, a networking tracker, sample resumes, and more. Information is available online in Spanish.
CancerConnect
This site, operated by OMNI Health Media, is a free social support network for people with cancer and their caregivers. You can join disease-specific groups or topic-specific groups for caregivers. The site provides educational videos, monthly specialty newsletters, and information on side effects, screening, cancer terms, treatment options, clinical trials, nutrition and more. They even have a humor section to provide a little laugh. Information is available online in Spanish.
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CAFC)
CFAC is a coalition of organizations that help cancer patients manage their financial challenges. Search their database by your location and the type of help you require.
Cancer Hawk
This website provides information, resources and assistance programs for cancer patients based on the diagnosis, location, age and gender. Additionally, the site includes links to hundreds of organizations that provide financial assistance to cancer patients. You can find help for a variety of expenses, including medical, travel, rent, groceries, college tuition and more.
Cancer Support Community
www.CancerSupportCommunity.org
202-659-9709
This nonprofit provides information related to diagnosis, specific cancers, treatment options, side effects, caring for a loved one and more. View their online publication: Coping with the Cost of Care.
Cleaning for a Reason
This nonprofit provides free professional house cleaning and maid services to improve the lives of women undergoing cancer treatment. This service is available throughout the U.S. and Canada, but not all geographical regions have participating providers. However, the coverage area is expanding as they regularly add new providers to their network.
Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups
This nonprofit organization’s mission is to improve the quality of life and survival of cancer patients by increasing participation in cancer trials. The website provides educational information on clinical trials, including what they are, why they are important, as well as an explanation of terms such as randomization, and phases. Use their TrialCheck® tool to search over 4,000 cancer trials by answering a few questions regarding cancer type, treatment history and current health status. The results provide information on open (taking patients) trials in the U.S. that are possible matches. You can also search for trials by Protocol ID, Protocol Title, drug name, hospital or practice. When available, abstracts and eligibility documents are provided on each trial. You can e-mail or call 877-227-8451 to receive assistance from a cancer clinical trial specialist.
Corporate Angel Network
This charitable organization provides free air transportation for all cancer patients and bone marrow donors/recipients traveling to treatment using the empty seats on corporate jets. Eligibility is not based on financial needs and patients may travel as many times as needed.
The Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education (GRACE)
This nonprofit provides detailed, expert-mediated information on current and emerging cancer management/treatment options. Searches can be done by cancer type, treatment protocols or other topics of interest.
LIVESTRONG
866-235-7205
This nonprofit offers free online information, tools and services for cancer patients. There is free one-on-one telephone support available (866-235-7205; Monday – Friday: 9 am – 5 pm Central Time). The website provides information on the physical and emotional concerns of having cancer, tools for making a treatment decision, information on clinical trials. A wide range of resources and topics included. Information is available online in Spanish.
Look Good…Feel Better
This nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping women undergoing cancer treatment improve their self-esteem and the quality of their lives. Their aim is to improve the self-image and appearance through free group, individual and self-help beauty sessions that create a sense of support, confidence, courage, and community. Find a group workshop in your area (workshops are offered in more than 3,000 locations in the U.S.).
National Cancer Institute (NCI) – U.S. Institutes of Health
800-422-6237
This government agency provides information on a wide variety of cancer related topics. Search for information by cancer type or topic. Website includes information on clinical trials, chemotherapy drugs, cancer terms and more. The online and phone specialists have access to comprehensive, accurate information on a range of cancer topics, including recent advances in treatment (phone help, in English and Spanish: 800-422-6237; Monday – Friday, 8 am – 8:00 pm, Eastern Time; Online help: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 11 pm Eastern Time). Information is available online in Spanish.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
This is the patient website for the NCCN, a nonprofit alliance of 21 of the world’s leading cancer centers. The site provides information and links to resources on 18 cancer types, including bladder, bone, head and neck, liver, pancreatic, prostate and skin cancers. There is a guide to clinical trials and an extensive list of links to resources.
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS)
877-622-7937
This nonprofit provides information on a variety of cancer topics, including dealing with insurance and employment issues. Their Cancer Survival Toolbox™ is a free audio program designed to help you develop useful skills, including communicating, problem solving and decision making. The information is available online in Spanish. The Cancer Survival Toolbox™ can be heard in Spanish, with Mandarin transcripts available.
National LGBT Cancer Network
This charitable organization addresses the needs of all LGBT people with cancer and those at risk. They educate the LGBT community about the increased risks of cancer and the importance of screening and early detection. They also provide training for healthcare professionals and do advocacy work. The website provides facts relating to cancer risks for LGBT people and links to helpful resources. The on-line screening program allows users to do a risk assessment, find screening facilities and set screening reminders.
Patient Resource Publishing
This company’s mission is to provide free information and resources to cancer patients. The site provides information, resources and publications on a wide variety of cancer topics. Information can be found on basic cancer terms, causes, treatments, side effects, clinical trials, genetic risk assessments, sources for financial help, social services, patient and caregiver resources, information on a wide range of specific cancers and more. There is a “survivor TV” and blog on-line so patients can hear other stories and connect with fellow patients.
Team Continuum
This nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families, including providing financial help with household expenses. They provide financial support for basic expenses, including electric, phone, water, gas, rent, and transportation. They do not give cash grants and do not cover the cost of medical treatments. Find the application for financial assistance on their website.
Triage Cancer
This nonprofit organization provides free educational information on legal and practical issues that impact people with cancer and their family caregivers. They offer free, in-person and online educational events, along with informative resources on a variety of topics, including employment, disability insurance, finances, estate planning, cancer-related legal issues, and more.
VeryWell Health – Conversation Coach
www.VeryWellHealth.com – How to tell someone you have cancer
This conversation coach on this website helps cancer patients tell others about their diagnosis.
