Cancer Facts and Resources

     The first line of defense against cancer is having knowledge of family  cancers and being able to recognize cancer signs and symptoms as soon as they begin to appear and communicate their presence.  The risk of cancer is influenced by genes inherited from parents and could be influenced by leading unhealthy lifestyles.  Once the presence of  cancer is suspected, it is critical to seek help from a medical professional immediately and, if necessary, contact an Oncologist to obtain a second opinion.  Early cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment while in the organ of origin, could increase survivorship and may lead to a cure.        
      If cancer is diagnosed, individuals should prepare themselves for next actions by becoming informed on type-of-cancer-specific treatment options, clinical trials, local cancer related hospitals and Oncologists, local cancer support organizations, genetic testing options and other related resources. 

   New - National Cancer Institute (NCI),  View more than 100 organizations nationwide that provide emotional, practical, and financial support services for people with cancer and their families.  

     For information on a specific cancer related  subject or resource, select from the following:

• Cancer Signs and Symptoms - American Cancer Society (ACS).  Identifies general and specific signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of cancer.  
• A to Z list of all Cancers - National Cancer Institute (NCI).  Includes treatment, causes, genetics, prevention, clinical trials and NCI research information.

• Counseling, Support Groups, Education and Financial Services - CancerCare.  Professional oncology social workers provide free emotional and practical support for people with cancer, caregivers, loved ones and the bereaved by telephone or email or you can obtain information on-line by type of cancer and by topic.  
  

• Cancer Patient Resources - Patient Resource Publishing.  A one-stop portal for cancer patients to use as a comprehensive resource for locating information on types of cancer treatments and side effects, cancer treatment facilities, organizations that provide financial assistance to cancer patients, reconstructive surgery, nutrition and exercise, and many more cancer topics.  Cancer Resource Cancer Guides can also be ordered by clicking Here.
• Financial Help for Cancer Patients and Family Members
  - Patient Resource Publishing. Names and web addresses of organizations that offer financial assistance to people affected by cancer or that have links to organizations that may provide financial help.
• Understanding Cancer Series Slide Presentation - National Cancer Institute (NCI).  Contains 61 slides that provide general knowledge on many cancer topics to include; prevention, treatment, clinical trials, genetics, screening, risks, staging, etc.  
• Cancer Risk Tool - Siteman Cancer Center.  An interactive tool that estimates your risk of cancer and provides personalized tips for prevention.  
• Dictionary of Cancer Terms - NCI.  Contains more than 4,000 terms related to cancer and medicine.
• Cancer Literature - PubMed Database.  Provided by the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of
  Health.  Search and retrieve information on cancer related topics.
• Financial & Advocacy Resources - Patient Resource list of national organizations that provide help to individuals and families to assist with financial and insurance issues that cancer
  treatments raise. In addition, the list contains focused advocacy groups and research organizations whose sole purpose is to help cancer patients with their concerns.
• How to Find Local Cancer Related Resources - NCI. 
  Information on how to locate local cancer organizations and type of services that may be available to help you in your fight against cancer. 
• How to Locate a Cancer Related Doctor or Treatment Facility - NCI.  Information on how to find a doctor, obtain a second opinion or select a treatment facility.   
• How to Communicate With Your Physician - Tips for effective communications between you and your physician.  In healthcare, good communications provides the best outcomes with the least mistakes.    
• How to Prevent Cancer - NCI.  Fifty percent of all cancers can be prevented.  Find out how to prevent cancer, reduce cancer risks and lead a healthy lifestyle.
• Cancer Genetics Information - NCI.  General information on genetics to include relationships between specific cancers and genes, genetic testing and how to locate a genetic professional.
• Clinical Trials - NCI.  Information on what clinical trials are, why they are important and a current list of all clinical trials now accepting participants.
• National Cancer Information Center - ACS.  Contact Cancer Information Specialists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-800-227-2345.  You can also have an on-line chat with a Cancer Information Specialists Monday - Friday from 8:00 am til 6:30 pm CST by clicking on CHAT LIVE below the blue Questions? block in the right-hand column. 

Cancer Organization and Contacts

All-Cancers Websites
American Cancer Society (ACS)  
American College of Surgeons (ACoS)          
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 
Cancer Care
Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T.                             
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)                  
National Cancer Institute (NCI)              
National Children’s Cancer Society          
Cancer Specific Websites 
Breast Cancer 
Susan G. Komen for the Cure                        
National Breast Cancer Foundation ABCD
After Breast Cancer Diagnosis  
Cervical Cancer                         
Foundation for Women’s Cancer      
Colon Cancer             
Susan Cohan Colon Cancer Foundation               
Kidney Cancer
Kidney Cancer Association                
Leukemia and Lymphoma 
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Lung Cancer
American Lung Association
Lung Cancer Alliance 
lungCANCER.org   
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance
Mesothelioma Guide
Myeloma Cancer
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
International Myeloma Foundation 
Oral Cancer  
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research 
Oral Cancer Foundation                                                        
Ovarian Cancer                     
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition                          
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance                          
Foundation for Women’s Cancer 
St Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness  
Pancreatic Cancer           
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network   
Prostate Cancer                         
Us TOO International                         
Prostate Cancer Foundation 
Skin Cancer                         
Skin Cancer Foundation
Testicular Cancer             
Testicular Cancer Resource Center

Cancer Patients and Survivors Websites
American Cancer Society (ACS)  
American Society of  Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Lance Armstrong Foundation    
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship  
Patient Resource Cancer Guide  
Financial Assistance Websites
American Cancer Society (ACS) 
Cancer Care 
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society        
National Children’s Cancer Society
Partnership for Prescription Assistance 
Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief  
Insurance Assistance Websites
Patient Advocate Foundation–The National Underinsured Resource Directory
Cancer Screening Websites    
Guidelines for the Early  Detection of Cancer (American Cancer Society) 
Screening and Testing to Detect Cancer (National Cancer
Institute)

Transportation Websites
Missouri Transportation Services Catalog

Click <HERE> for more Cancer Organization contact information.