How to research cancer

Start by talking with your cancer care team. Each cancer is different and each person is different. Your health care providers know you, so the type of care you receive will be based on what is best for you and your situation. Many cancer centers have a nurse-educator.

Talk about your options with your team. You can find information on the website of your cancer center or hospital. Many hospital websites have a variety of resources:

• Health libraries
• Print and online newsletters and magazines
• Blogs
• Classes and seminars focused on issues related to having cancer
• Information about clinical trials going on at your cancer center or hospital

You should also talk with other cancer care providers. It is a good idea to get input from more than one provider when faced with serious illness. Talk with your provider about getting a second opinion before making major health decisions.

For more in-depth information, look to government sources and medical associations. They provide research-based, up-to-date information about all types of cancer. Here are several to start with:

National Cancer Institute - www.cancer.gov. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NCI has several functions:

• Supports and conducts cancer research
• Collects, analyzes, and shares the results of cancer research
• Provides training in cancer diagnosis and treatment

You can find current, in-depth information on:

• All types of cancer
• Risk factors and prevention
• Diagnosis and treatment
• Clinical trials
• Support, coping, and resources

The NCI creates PDQ (trademark) cancer information summaries. These are comprehensive, evidence-based summaries on topics that cover cancer treatment, supportive and palliative care, screening, prevention, genetics, and integrated medicine.

• For cancer information summaries on adult cancer treatment - www.cancer.gov/publications/pdq/information-summaries/adult-treatment
• For cancer information summaries on pediatric cancer treatment - www.cancer.gov/publications/pdq/information-summaries/pediatric-treatment

American Cancer Society - www.cancer.org. The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nonprofit national organization that:

• Raises money and conducts cancer research
• Provides up-to-date information to people with cancer and their families in collaboration with the American Society of Clinical Oncology
• Offers community programs and services, such as Rides to Treatment, lodging, and hair loss and mastectomy products
• Provides emotional support through online forums and classes
• Connects patients one-on-one with volunteers who are also cancer survivors
• Works with lawmakers to pass laws that help people with cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov - www.clinicaltrials.gov/. The NIH runs this service. The site provides information on clinical trials across the United States. You can find out:

• What a clinical trial is
• How to find clinical trials in your area, listed by topic or map
• How to search for studies and use search results
• How to find study results

National Comprehensive Cancer Network Patient and Caregiver Resources - www.nccn.org/patientresources/patient-resources. The NCCN provides patients and their caregivers:

• Easy-to-understand information about cancer and cancer treatment
• Easy-to-understand information about clinical guidelines for cancer care
• Information on payment assistance
• Information on clinical trials

To review more detailed guidelines meant for physicians who treat cancer, you can review NCCN Guidelines at www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/default.aspx. You just need to create a free account on the site.

You can see patient version of these guidelines at www.nccn.org/patients/default.aspx.

It is important to know how to find health information you can trust. You should use some resources with care.

Online forums, chat rooms, and support groups. These sources can help you find ways to cope, share your stories, and get support. But remember that no two people are alike when it comes to cancer. Be careful not to draw conclusions about your cancer and how it will progress based on what happened to someone else. You should also never get medical advice from online sources.

Cancer studies. It can be interesting to read the latest study about a new cancer drug or treatment. Just do not read too much into a single study. New ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer are only adopted after many years of research.

Integrative medicine (IM). Many people with cancer look for alternative therapies. Use care when reading about these remedies. Avoid sites that promise miracle cures. You can find trusted information at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). The center is run by the NIH. It offers research-based information at nccih.nih.gov.

American Cancer Society website. Finding cancer information on the internet. www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/cancer-information-on-the-internet.html. Updated June 5, 2024. Accessed June 7, 2024.

National Cancer Institute website. How to find cancer resources you can trust. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/managing-care/using-trusted-resources. Updated June 6, 2024. Accessed June 7, 2024.

Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.