Cancer & Coping Resources

• American Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization that focuses on research and education but also provides some patient services. Included on the site is information on coping with cancer under the topic: Coping with Physical and Emotional Changes. (http://www.cancer.org, 1-800-227-2345)
• American Psychosocial Oncology Society provides a directory of providers to help you find a local counselor. This organization includes physicians, social workers, psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, and other health professionals interested in the psychosocial aspects of cancer. (http://www.apos-society.org; 1-866-276-7443)
• CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization that provides free, professional support services for anyone affected by cancer. Although it is located in the New York City area, it has a free counseling line and free online support groups for people who live outside that area. (http://www.cancercare.org; 1-800-813-HOPE)
• National Cancer Institute, a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information on cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients (http://www.cancer.gov, 1-800-4-CANCER). The National Cancer Institute web site provides free information for patients, family members, and cancer professionals on a variety of psychological issues as they relate to cancer at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping.
• National Comprehensive Cancer Network is a nonprofit alliance of cancer centers in the US that develops educational materials for medical professionals and for patients on topics ranging from the care of individual cancers to supportive care, which includes distress, pain, and end-of-life care. These are available online, in CD-ROM form, and in pamphlets at no cost. (www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls.asp; 1-888-909-NCCN)
• People Living with Cancer is a web site sponsored by the American Society for Clinical Oncology, a nonprofit association of oncology professionals. It provides oncologist-approved cancer information on both the medical and psychosocial aspects of the cancer experience (http://www.plwc.org/portal/site/PLWC)
• The Wellness Community is a nonprofit organization that provides free support and services at 24 communities around the US. The web site offers information and access to online support groups, among other free resources. (http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org; 1-888-793-WELL)
• HealthMark Multimedia, LLC, develops health-related interactive, user-friendly software used by patients in making treatment and self-care decisions, health care professionals for education purposes, and parents and children to learn about prevention and staying healthy. (http://healthmarkmultimedia.com; 1-877-722-2255)

Books

• The Human Side of Cancer: Living with Hope, Coping with Uncertainty by Jimmie Holland and Sheldon Lewis (2001).
• Facing Cancer Together: How to Help Your Friend or Loved One by Pamela N. Brown (1999).