Marcy Dwyer was a member of the AWC of Zurich and editor of the FAWCO Forum. She died in 2003 after a long battle with Ovarian Cancer. This site grew out of her suggestion that FAWCO provide a site to support members of FAWCO Clubs whose lives have been touched by Cancer.
The objective of the Marcy Dwyer Memorial Cancer Information Site is to provide a list of sources of reliable on-line information on cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, support programs, etc. for cancer patients, families, friends and caregivers.It also includes articles on cancer and cancer related topics.
National Cancer Institute - http://cancer.gov/cancerinfo
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a division of the U.S. National Institute of Health.
The NCI coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.
The web-site provides information on a most types of Cancer, and includes Treatment, Prevention, Genetics, Causes, Screening and Testing, Coping with Cancer, Support and Resources, and Cancer Literature. It also provides a service called LiveHelp. This is a new program to provide answers to general cancer questions and assistance in navigating the NCI web sites. It is staffed by real people and you can have a live conversation with an Information Specialist simply by typing your questions. They are not health care providers and do not provide medical advice.
Information on cancer support programs in the U.S. is available via the following:
http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/8_1.htm on the Internet, or can be ordered from the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
Cancer Information Service - http://cis.nci.nih.gov/about/about.html
CIS is the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service and provides the latest and most accurate cancer information to patients, their families, and the public and health professionals.
In addition it provides a link to cancer information services in over 15 countries: http://cis.nci.nih.gov/resources/international.htm
International Union Against Cancer (UICC) www.uicc.org
This web site can also be accessed via the CIS web page. This site includes a directory of 387 cancer organizations in 77 countries.
OncoLink - http://oncolink.upenn.edu
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania established OncoLink in 1994 to help cancer patients, families, health care professionals and the general public get accurate cancer-related information at no charge. This site provides comprehensive information about specific types of cancer, updates on cancer treatments and news about research advances. It also includes ways for cancer patients and caregivers to cope with cancer, side effects, nutrition, general cancer support issues, grief/end of life issues, and shares survivor's experiences. Brochures on these topics are also available.
Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation - http://preventcancer.org
This foundation sponsors programs in support of cancer prevention and early detection. The for patients link makes available practical information (in pdf form) on Making Decisions About Your Therapy and Chemotherapy, Things You Should Know About the Side Effects.
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship - www.canceradvocacy.org
The NCCS is the oldest survivor-led advocacy organization working on behalf of people with cancer and their families. This site provides Information for cancer survivors and caregivers, practical tools to deal with the challenges of cancer and helpful links by cancer type and treatment. The latter includes an extensive list of support groups: http://www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/guide/resources.aspx?sID=58
CancerBACUP now merged with Macmillan - www.macmillan.org.uk Cancer BACUP, operating in the United Kingdom is Europe's leading cancer information service, providing over 4,500 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support. It includes information on all aspects of cancer written specifically for patients, families and caregivers. Over 1,000 cancer questions and answers are available online.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center - http://www.mskcc.org
Sloan-Kettering is one of the premier cancer treatment centers in the United States. The web site offers news and information about numerous types of cancer from prevention to survival, including finding clinical trials. Special mentions should be given to their section on Pediatric Cancer that provides information on the facts and myths of childhood cancer, communicating with health care professionals, etc. There are also sections For Kids Only and For Teens Only to help children and teens understand what is happening to them, and includes accounts written by other children.
Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR) - http://www.acor.org
ACOR is a collection of online communities designed to provide timely and accurate information in a supportive environment. ACOR offers information and support through its integrated system of online discussion groups. To further its mission, ACOR creates specific web sites and also hosts a growing number of web sites, created by patients for patients and caregivers, by Cancer Advocacy Organizations and by medical professionals. It includes Oncochat - www.oncochat.org a real-time global support community for peoples whose lives are touched by cancer. It does not provide medical advice, but rather lots of hugs and understanding.
Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy Support and Education (ALCASE) - http://alcase.org
This non-profit organization was organized to help people with Lung Cancer and those at risk to improve the quality of life through advocacy, support and education. It provides a toll-free hotline and email service including a person to person buddy program for lung cancer survivors. There is also a list of online and face to face support groups.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) - www.ovarian.org
The NOCC discusses issues most commonly faced by ovarian cancer patients. It provides information on symptoms, detection and treatment options as well as links to other support organizations.
Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization - http://www.y-me.org
The Y-me site offers information to help understand treatment options, potential side effects, and manage day to day living. You can also access support programs and services for patients, families, friends and caregivers. Y-Me offers a 24-hour telephone hotline as well as Ask Y-Me, where you can submit questions on-line and a breast cancer survivor who is a trained peer counselor will respond.
Mayo Clinic - http://www.mayoclinic.com
The Mayo Clinic's Cancer Center section offers information on diagnosis, prevention, screening tests, types of treatment, treatment decision tools, and clinical trials. It also includes a section on Finding a Support Group That is Right for You.
Vital Options International - http://www.vitaloptions.org
This is a communications support and advocacy organization whose objective is to facilitate a global cancer dialogue. The Group Room radio show, a weekly syndicated talk show that is simulcast on the world wide web and XM satellite allows people all over the world to meet, talk and exchange information on cancer.
American Cancer Society - http://www.cancer.org
The ACS site offers information and interactive help on cancer, treatment options, treatment decision tools, coping, etc. The Support Programs for Survivors and Patients offers direct contact with other cancer survivors.