Recommended Cancer Information
The resources listed here provide general information for patients, caregivers, and librarians. Members of the MLA Cancer Librarians Caucus have reviewed these resources for quality (currency, credibility, content, audience, etc.).Ā
Please note that some resources will contain information that is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily that of your own healthcare providers. Consult your healthcare provider for individual information on your specific condition.Ā
No direct recommendation or sponsorship by MLA Cancer Librarians Caucus or MLA of these web resources is implied.Ā MLA’s guide toĀ finding good health informationĀ contains good tips for assessing health information on the Internet.
Organization of Resources
- Cancer Resources for Special Population Groups
- BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
- Caregivers
- Children and Adolescents
- LGBTQIA+
- Clinical Trials
- Consumer and Patient Resources
- Disparities
- Genetics
- Government and Organization Websites
- News & Current Awareness
- Professional Society Meeting Abstracts
- Practice Guidelines and Treatment Overviews
- Statistics and Epidemiology
- Treatment Options (major therapeutic options listed below):
- Alternative Medicine
- Drugs and Biologics
- Selection Process and Disclaimer
Cancer Resources for Special Population Groups
BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Editor: Kendra Godwin, MLIS
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
African American Breast Cancer Alliance, Inc. (AABCA)
A resource for Black women and men to learn about breast cancer and connect with other patients or survivors. Information includes materials on education, support, and survivorship, and a listing of both national groups and those in Minnesota.
Asian American Cancer Support Network (AACSN)
Created to provide emotional and educational community support for Asian Americans affected by cancer in the California Bay Area, this site lists local workshops and resources as well as general information about navigating a cancer diagnosis.
āImi Hale
A community network aimed at reducing cancer incidence and mortality for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Its goals are to develop culturally appropriate resources on cancer treatment and services, and increase the capacity of research to reduce cancer health disparities.
Latinas Contra Cancer
A Latina-run organization in San Jose, CA with the mission to improve cancer awareness and the quality of cancer care within the Latino community. Programs include health education, survivor support, and patient navigation.
Native American Cancer Initiatives, Inc. (NACI)
A community-based organization in Colorado that develops and evaluates programs surrounding Native Americans, and supports various groups, including patients. Topics for this group include survivorship support and questions to ask a healthcare team.
Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN)
The mission of this group is to eliminate the prostate cancer disparity amongst African American men, but efforts also include support, resources, and advocacy for all men affected by this disease. National initiatives include a survivor network, support groups, and increased access to clinical trials and treatments.
SHARE Cancer Support
A national group formed to help and empower women experiencing breast, ovarian, uterine, or metastatic breast cancer, with a specific focus on culturally competent cancer support for medically underserved communities, with services available in both English and Spanish.
Sisters Network Inc.
An African American breast cancer survivorship organization focused on bringing local and national attention to the impact of the disease on the African American community. The site contains information on various programs and affiliate chapters, as well as links to resources and other organizations.
Caregivers
Editor: Jennifer Walker, MLS
University of North Carolina, Health Sciences Library
Chapel Hill, NC
Cancer.net: Being a Caregiver
Cancer.Net brings the expertise and resources of the American Society of Clinical Oncology to people living with cancer and those who care for and about them to help patients and families make informed health care decisions.
American Cancer Society: Who are caregivers, and what do they do?
This section of the ACS talks about caregivers as the unpaid loved ones who give the person with cancer physical and emotional care. Caregivers may be partners, family members, or close friends. Most often, they are not trained for the caregiver job. Many times, theyāre the lifeline of the person with cancer.
National Cancer Institute: Caring for your mind, body and spirit
Taking time to recharge your mind, body, and spirit can help you be a better caregiver. This site offers suggestions on ways caregivers can take care of themselves.
Caregiver College video series
Caregiver College is Family Caregiver Alliance’s series of classes for Caregivers in video format. Here is a selection of videos designed to show caregivers some essential skills for taking care of their loved ones. Topics include: Transfer Skills, Nutrition, Dental Care, Bathing & Dressing, Toileting, Behavioral Issues and the all-important Self-Care.
Children & Adolescents
Editor: Jan T. Orick, MLIS, AHIP
Retired Library Director, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Biomedical Library
Memphis, TN
American Cancer Society: Cancer in Children
The American Cancer Society website provides a Detailed Guide and information on specific forms of childhood cancer. The website includes information about diagnosis, treatment, coping and support, and surviving childhood cancer.
American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO)
Provides a comprehensive list of resources, tools, support networks, and specialized programs to help families cope with the medical, emotional, and psychological repercussions of childhood cancer. These resources enable families to reach out and interact with other people who understand exactly what you are going through. Through sharing experiences and building a sense of community, even the most depleted reserves of strength and hope can be renewed.
Cancer in Children – MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus provides an excellent start to locating information about childhood and adolescent cancer including links to diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, research, dictionaries, directories, and videos.
Childhood Cancer Guides
This is a not-for-profit group of individuals. The educational website that shares portions of the books, provides referrals to helpful resources, and additional links. Content is from the books on childhood cancer and leukemia co-authored by Nancy Keene.
Childhood Cancers and Adolescents and Young Adults
The National Cancer Institute’s Factsheet provides information and statistics about childhood and adolescent and young adult cancers.
Childrenās Oncology Group https://www.childrensoncologygroup.org/index.php/patients-and-families-section
The Childrenās Oncology Group provides important information for children and their families from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, and following cure. Their experts in childhood cancer are available throughout the United States, Canada and a number of international sites. Find a Childrenās Oncology Group location near you and download the Family Handbook for more information.
Coalition Against Childhood Cancer https://cac2.org/childhood-cancer-fact-library/
This grassroots movement includes representatives of small, medium- sized, and large organizations and committed individuals who fight childhood cancer and provide support to the children and families affected by the disease. Provides a Family Resources Hope Portal with links to various resources a Childhood Cancer Fact Library and directory of member organizations.
CureSearch
This site contains comprehensive coverage for all aspects of childhood cancer for health professionals, patients, and families. CureSearch is a united effort of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF).
KidsHealth Cancer Center
Sponsored by Nemours, KidsHealth is the most-visited site on the Web for information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years. All KidsHealth articles, animations, games, and other content go through a rigorous medical review by pediatricians and other medical experts. Ongoing, scheduled medical reviews ensure the information is as up-to-date as possible. The KidsHealth Cancer Center contains information about cancer tailored to Parents, Kids and Teens.
NIH National Cancer Institute Childhood Cancers and Adolescents and Young Adults
The National Cancer Institute’s Factsheet provides information and statistics about childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers.
LGBTQIA+
Editor: Kendra Godwin, MLIS
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
National LGBT Cancer Network
Formed to address the disproportionate effect cancer has had on LGBT communities, this group focuses on education, training, and advocacy to improve the lives of those who have experienced or are at risk for cancer. Information available on the site includes a resource library and databases of LGBTQ-welcoming screening and treatment providers.
National LGBT Cancer Project
A support and advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender cancer patients and survivors. The site is primarily online support groups and articles written by people within the community on a variety of topics.
Clinical Trials
Editor: Lara Niederhauser, CHES
University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute
Salt Lake City, UT
ClinicalTrials.gov
This National Library of Medicine site provides regularly updated information about federally and privately supported clinical research studies. Visitors to the site can search for open clinical trials, and clinical trial results, from studies in the United States and in over 200 countries. The Studies by Topic feature allows visitors to refine their search results to specific diseases and conditions, including Cancers and other Neoplasms and Blood and Lymph Conditions.
National Cancer Institute (NCI): Clinical Trials
This is a comprehensive resource from the NCI that provides a searchable database for current cancer clinical trials in the United States and several other countries, as well as links to educational materials describing what clinical trials are and why they are important.
CenterWatch
This commercial site contains a listing of thousands of industry-sponsored clinical trials (not all specific to Oncology). The site offers educational resources to better understand clinical trials, a database of new drug therapies approved by the FDA, and an alert feature that e-mails patients when new trials are posted for their condition.
Clinical Trials, Canada
Put together by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, this website provides personalized options to search for open clinical trials throughout Canada.
Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG)
The CCTG is a cooperative oncology group that administers clinical trials in Canada. Their website provides information about their programs and a listing of current clinical trials.
World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform
The WHO search portal gathers together listings of clinical trials from registries of many different individual countries as well as cooperative listings from the European Union and Pan African groups.
Consumer & Patient Resources
Editor: Gail Y. Hendler, MLS
Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Library
Maywood, IL
American Cancer Society
This comprehensive website offers a wealth of information in English and Spanish to patients/survivors, their families and caregivers, and the public. Noteworthy for its growing collection of various Asian language documents, and for links to statistics; a cancer drug database; support resources; NCCN patient treatment guidelines; treatment center locator, and treatment decision tools meant to help patients make better informed healthcare decisions.
Belong
The Belong app creates a wide social network for cancer patients and their families. Users can connect with others with cancer to receive support, tips and advices. The app also provides access to leading health care professionals to answer questions and tools that help organize and securely manage needed health care documents.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support aims to provide comprehensive high quality, expertly developed information about cancer, and make it available to everyone who needs it. The resource offers extensive cancer information, support services and the UKās largest online cancer community.
CancerCare
CancerCare’s mission is to provide free professional support services to anyone diagnosed with cancer, their friends, relatives and caregivers. The CancerCare website provides links to the Reading Room that contains PDF brochures discussing various cancer types and their medical, emotional and practical concerns in English and Spanish. An online community message board is available as well as links to information about support groups and monthly schedules for telephone education sessions.
Cancer in Multiple Languages: MedlinePlus
Cancer Chemotherapy in Multiple Languages: MedlinePlus
Living with Cancer in Multiple Languages – MedlinePlus
Cancer.Net
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) offers peer-reviewed information for patients, families and caregivers. Coverage includes over 85 types of cancer, basic cancer information, support, coping, advocacy, and information about special populations. Special and notable features on this website include a Medical Illustrations Gallery of common cancer sites organized by cancer type; ASCO Patient Guides that comprise a growing list of well-written and up-to-date documents on a variety of discrete subjects such as, Understanding Tumor Markers for Breast and Colon Cancer, and a monthly Ask the Expert forum meant to invite patients, families, and the public to ask leading cancer experts questions via an online chat forum.
CancerQuest
Emory University has done an outstanding job in explaining tumor biology to patients, family and other interested users. Vido and text clearly present complex concepts with information translated into Spanish, Chinese and Russian.
Corporate Angel Network
Thanks to 530 American corporations, cancer patients can receive free flights to and from approved cancer treatment facilities anywhere in the United States on unused seats on corporate jets.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Information in multiple languages about services and support for caregivers and families living with chronic illness.
Find a Cancer Center
Connect to cancer care in your area with a state or region search of National Cancer Institute designated Cancer Centers, Comprehensive Cancer Centers, and Basic Laboratory Centers.
GARD: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Find information on rare cancers in English and Spanish produced by information specialists at the National Center for Advancing Translations Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition to disease information delivered in plain language, videos, orphan drug information, and guides for patients, families, and caregivers are available.
Inside Cancer – Teacher Center
This website is a guide for the layman about the biology of cancer; how cancer occurs, evolves and how it can be treated. Curated by the Cold Spring Harbor National Laboratory, experts in the field combine with clear graphics and text to explain cancer on the molecular level.
Journey Forward
The Oncology Nursing Society offers patients survivorship planning tools such as care plans and a medical history tool to facilitate the next phase forward.
Medlineplus
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) offers patients and the public links authoritative, full-text information from the NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and select health-related organizations. In addition to a comprehensive collection of cancer information, special features include easy to read documents, low-vision documents, and a selection of interactive health tutorials on a variety of cancer topics.
Mental Health America (MHA) ā Cancer and Mental Health
This site offers information about how cancer can affect mental health. Related resources and a mental health screening are also provided.
National Cancer Institute’s Cancer.gov
In addition to the PDQ cancer information summaries for patients, this website contains links to statistics, the Dictionary of Cancer Terms, NCI Drug Dictionary, clinical trials search, Cancer Genetics Service directory, and the Understanding Cancer series that enhances learning about the science behind the medicine.
National Cancer Institute’s Cancer.gov en Espanol
A new Spanish language Web site provides Hispanic/Latino communities with accurate and up-to-date cancer information. Visitors can learn about different types of cancer, treatments, detection and prevention as well as read about the experiences of Latino cancer survivors.
Patient Advocate Foundation
This non-profit organization was established in 1996 to assist cancer patients resolve insurance, debt, employment and discrimination issues due to cancer diagnosis. The organization actively seeks to provide avenues of access to insurance funding for evolving cancer therapies and acts as a liaison between patients and their insurers, creditors and employers.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals. It is dedicated to support, education, and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families and friends. They sponsor Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, year-round awareness activities, and thyroid cancer research fund raising and research grants.
Your Disease Risk
Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine maintain this interactive tool that allows users to estimate risk for 12 different cancer types and offers personalized tips on how to best prevent these cancers.
Disparities
Editor: Donna Gibson, MLS
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
Cancer Disparities
Part of the National Cancer Instituteās series on Understanding Cancer, this provides information on what cancer disparities are, contributing factors, some examples across different groups, and how these issues can be addressed.
Cancer Health Disparities Research
This resource focuses on why this is a critical research area for the National Cancer Institute to explore if it hopes to make progress against the disease, and it lists different opportunities and challenges, as well as the programs and training that are operating within this field.
Health Disparities and Cancer
The landing page for learning about cancer disparities via Cancer.Net, the American Society for Clinical Oncology’s site for doctor-approved patient information. This page links to a blog post that describes cancer disparities and health equity, and a resource list for more information.
Minority Population Profiles
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Servicesā Office of Minority Health maintains profiles for five different minority populations, each with its own specific Cancer page. Navigate through each to see statistics for Black/African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.
Genetics
Editor: Kendra Godwin, MLIS
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
The Genetics of Cancer
An overview of cancer genetics from the National Cancer Institute, including how genetic changes impact cell function, the role of inherited genetic mutations, and genetic testing.
Genetics and Cancer
Information from the American Cancer Society on the relationship between genes and cancer, inherited risk, and understanding genetic testing recommendations.
Genetics Home Reference
The National Library of Medicine maintains this resource to explore the function of genetics within cancer and other diseases. This page shows the results of a specific search query for the term cancer.
Types of Cancer
The National Society of Genetic Counselors hosts a patient resource site to share when genetic testing is beneficial, and how genetic counselors can help. This page gives an overview of cancer as a possible genetic condition, as well as information on several types of cancer with hereditary links.
Government and Organization Websites
Editor: Neyda V. Gilman, MLS
Binghamton University Libraries
Binghamton, NY
American Cancer Society
The ACS site has information for both healthcare professionals and patients that includes disease overviews, treatment options, prevention and coping strategies, and news.
American Society of Clinical Oncology
ASCO membership is comprised of clinical oncologists from all oncology disciplines and sub-specialties. The web site has information for practice guidelines, policy statements, career development, and news.
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)
The site has links to resources for research, economics, government issues, and patient information/
Association of Community Cancer Centers
The ACCC helps oncology professionals adapt to the complex challenges of program management, cuts in reimbursement, hospital consolidation and mergers, and legislation and regulations that threaten to compromise the delivery of quality cancer care. The website maintains a valuable list of links for clinicians and patients.
Canadian Cancer Society/SociƩtƩ Canadienne du Cancer
Founded in 1938, the Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer.
European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)
The aims of EORTC are to develop, conduct, coordinate, and stimulate translational and clinical research in Europe to improve the management of cancer and related problems by increasing survival but also patient quality of life. Through translational and clinical research, EORTC offers an integrated approach to drug development, drug evaluation programs and medical practices.
FDA Office of Hematology Oncology Products (OHOP)
This office has links to product approvals, presentations, and contact lists.
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
The IARC is an agency of the World Health Organization. IARC is involved in both epidemiological and laboratory research and disseminates scientific information through publications, meetings, courses, and fellowships.
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NCI coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, and health information dissemination.
NCIC Clinical Trials Group/NCCI Groupe des essais cliniques
A cooperative oncology group which carries out clinical trials in cancer therapy, supportive care and prevention across Canada and internationally. It is a national program of the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, and supported by the Canadian Cancer Society.
Oncolink
OncoLink was founded in 1994 by University of Pennsylvania cancer specialists with a mission to help cancer patients, families, health care professionals and the general public get accurate cancer-related information at no charge. OncoLink contains comprehensive information about specific types of cancer, updates on cancer treatments and news about research advances.
Oncology Nursing Society
The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is a professional organization of more than 32,000 registered nurses and other healthcare providers dedicated to excellence in patient care, education, research, and administration in oncology nursing.
Society of Surgical Oncology
The Society of Surgical Oncology is a professional association for surgical oncologists and non-physician healthcare providers involved in oncologic patient care. The site has links to career information, educational opportunities, and research resources.
Society of Gynecologic Oncology
The Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) is the premier medical specialty society for health care professionals trained in the comprehensive management of gynecologic cancers. As a 501(c)(6) organization, the SGO contributes to the advancement of womenās cancer care by encouraging research, providing education, raising standards of practice, advocating for patients and members and collaborating with other domestic and international organizations.
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
The world’s largest independent, non-profit, non-governmental association of cancer-fighting organizations, UICC brings together a wide range of organizations, including voluntary cancer societies, research and treatment centers, public health authorities, patient support networks, and advocacy groups.
News and Current Awareness
Editor: Molly Bernard, MLS
Seagen, Inc.
Bothell, WA
Cancer Letter
The Cancer Letter was founded in 1973 by journalist Jerry D. Boyd, and in 1977, the company founded The Clinical Cancer Letter, a monthly newsletter about cancer clinical trials. In 1986, The Cancer Letter added a monthly business section now called Business & Regulatory Report. The mission of The Cancer Letter Inc. publications is to report on current and controversial topics in oncology. Company policy doesn’t allow the editors to hold individual stock positions in healthcare, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology companies. The editors are members of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Association of Health Care Journalists. Follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TheCancerLetter
Google News Search
A customized search of Google News using the term cancer. Further customized searches of Google News can be created using ābreast cancerā or ālung cancerā or āchemotherapyā or any combination of terms. Example: cancer AND immunotherapy AND (“side effects” OR toxicities).
Also, custom searches can be set up in Google Alerts via personal Google accounts. When creating a custom alert in Google Alerts, add site: https://news.google.com to the search terms in order to limit results to those appearing in Google News.
Example: cancer AND immunotherapy site: https://news.google.com
NCI Recent News Releases
Provided by the National Cancer Institute.
New Cancer Drug Approvals/FDA Updates
Hematology/Oncology (Cancer) Drug Approvals & Safety Notifications from the FDA.
Cancer.net
Provided by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) [includes Cancer Awareness Months].
Medscape.com Hematology-Oncology News
News and perspectives provided by Medscape.com and WebMD..
Professional Society Meeting Abstracts
Editor: Lisabeth A. Becker, MLS
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Buffalo, NY
- American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
- American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Note: There are two options for accessing ASCO abstracts. ASCO University is a better choice for users without access to Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) subscriptions. JCO is optimal for subscribers as it provides more features, including citation downloads. - American Society for Hematology (ASH)
Note: There are two options for accessing ASH Annual Meeting abstracts. The ASH website or Blood on Elsevier’s ScienceDirect platform which makes the abstracts available in their Special issues and article collections section. - American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)
- American Society of Psychosocial Oncology (APOS)
- European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
- European Lung Cancer Conference (ELCC)
- European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
- ESMO Immuno-Oncology Conference
- ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer
- European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO)
Note: There are two options for accessing ESTRO abstracts. The ESTRO website has the current year meeting abstracts available on their website. Radiation and Oncology [the Green Journal] makes the abstracts available in their Special issues and article collections section - Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium
- International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)
- International Society of Psychosocial Oncology (IPOS)
- Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)
- NCCN Annual Conference
Note: National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a nonprofit alliance of leading cancer centers. Experts from NCCN cancer centers diagnose and treat all cancers, with a particular focus on complex, aggressive, or uncommon cancers. - San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium ( SABCS )
- Sigma Repository
This database of abstracts covers the proceedings of more than 13 nursing society conferences. - Society of Behavioral Medicine
- Society for Melanoma Research
- Society for Immunotherapy in Oncology (SITC)
- Web of Science (Subscription Only)
Note: Web of Science contains an index called Conference Proceedings Citation Index- Science (CPCI-S); users with access can find many abstracts and proceedings from meetings around the world.
Practice Guidelines and Treatment Overviews
Editor: Beth Lewis, MLS
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Philadelphia, PA
American Society of Breast Surgeons
This site lists consensus guidelines, performance and practice guidelines, quality measures, as well as resource guides.
American Cancer Society Cancer Screening Guidelines
This site describes what screening tests the American Cancer Society recommends, when one should have them, and how they are covered under some types of insurance.
American Society of Clinical Oncology Practice Guidelines
Guidelines can address specific clinical situations (disease-oriented) or use of approved medical products, procedures, or tests (modality-oriented). Using the best available evidence, ASCO’s expert panels identify and develop practice recommendations for specific areas of cancer care that would benefit from the availability of practice guidelines.
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO): Clinical Practice Guidelines
The ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) are intended to provide the user with a set of recommendations for the best standards of cancer care, based on the findings of evidence-based medicine. Each CPG includes information on the incidence of the malignancy, diagnostic criteria, staging of disease and risk assessment, treatment plans and follow-up.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN): Guidelines & Clincal Resources
This alliance of leading cancer centers has developed an integrated suite of tools to improve the quality of cancer care. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN GuidelinesĀ®) document evidence-based, consensus-driven management to ensure that all patients receive preventive, diagnostic, treatment, and supportive services that are most likely to lead to optimal outcomes. Register for a free account to access the NCCN Guidelines.
PDQ (Physician Data Query)
National Cancer Institute’s comprehensive cancer database. It contains summaries on a wide range of cancer topics; a registry of 8,000+ open and 19,000+ closed cancer clinical trials from around the world; and a directory of professionals who provide genetics services. PDQ also contains the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, with definitions for 6,800+ cancer and medical terms, plus the NCI Drug Dictionary.
PubMed: Cancer Subset
Limits hotlink (below search screen) can be selected and Publication Types can be set to Practice Guideline. Key words can then be typed and search results will be MEDLINE journal citations identified as Practice Guidelines.
Society of Surgical Oncology: Practice and Policy
The site maintains links to Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines and Expert Consensus Statements.
Statistics and Epidemiology
Editor: David Farris, MSIS
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
Cancer Statistics
Provided by the American Cancer Society
Global Cancer Observatory
Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) is an interactive web-based platform presenting global cancer statistics to inform cancer control and cancer research. The platform focuses on the visualization of cancer indicators to illustrate the changing scale, epidemiological profile, and impact of the disease worldwide, using data from several key projects. The site is maintained by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
National Cancer Data Base (NCDB)
The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), a joint program of the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) and the American Cancer Society (ACS), is a nationwide oncology outcomes database. Some 70 percent of all newly diagnosed cases of cancer in the United States are captured at the institutional level and reported to the NCDB. The data is used to explore trends in cancer care, to create regional and state benchmarks for participating hospitals, and to serve as the basis for quality improvement.
National Cancer Institute Statistics
Resources for understanding cancer-related terms and calculations; also includes links to NCI reports and data as well as tools for researchers.
National Center for Health Statistics: Cancer
This is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and has links to a variety of government reports containing cancer information, usually within the context of a wider subject area. Note: When searching full-text of the reports, the term neoplasms often brings more results than using the term cancer.
National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR)
Also provided by the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, this site contains data collected by local cancer registries that enable public health professionals to understand and address the cancer burden more effectively.
SEER (Statistics, Epidemiology and End Results)
The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, maintained at National Cancer Institute, is an authoritative source of information on cancer incidence and survival in the United States.
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Cancer Today
A collection of data visualization tools for exploring estimates of the incidence, mortality, and prevalence of 36 specific cancer types and of all cancer sites combined in 185 countries or territories of the world in 2018, by sex and age group, as part of the GLOBOCAN project.
Treatment Options: Alternative, Complementary, and Holistic Resources
Editor: Donna Gibson, MLS
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
American Cancer Society: Complementary and Alternative Methods and Cancer
Organized as an FAQ, the site explains terms used to describe many kinds of products, practices, and systems that are not part of mainstream medicine.
CAM-Cancer
The aims of CAM-Cancer project are to build a European authoritative network around CAM in cancer with an international panel of experts in CAM research and/or in cancer care with privileged contacts with cancer organizations. The project’s main achievement will be to prepare and disseminate suitable evidence based information for health professionals in order to help them to inform their patients.
Complementary and Integrative Medicine (MedlinePlus)
MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health’s Web site for patients, their families, friends and caregivers. This resource is produced by the National Library of Medicine and brings trusted information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues. MedlinePlus offers a section devoted to Complementary and Integrative Medicine.
ISCMR Researchers of Traditional, Complementary, Alternative, & Integrative Medicine and Health
The International Society for Complementary Medicine Research (ISCMR) is an international multidisciplinary scientific organization established to foster the development and dissemination of new knowledge regarding whole person healing and whole systems healthcare research, including all traditional, holistic, alternative, complementary and integrative forms of medicine.
NCCAM’s Cancer Prevention and Treatment The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is the Federal Government’s (NIH’s) lead agency for scientific research on the diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine.
Office of Cancer Complementary & Alternative Medicine
This National Cancer Institute unit’s goal is to increase the amount of high-quality cancer research and information about the use of complementary and alternative modalities.
Sloan Kettering: About Herbs, Botanicals, and Other Products
This site provides objective information for oncologists and healthcare professionals, including a clinical summary for each agent and details about constituents, adverse effects, interactions, and potential benefits or problems. Evaluations of alternative or unproved cancer therapies, as well as products for sexual dysfunction are included. The About Herbs app is available and it is compatible with iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch devices. In addition, a web app version for all other mobile devices is also available.
Treatment Options: Drugs and Biologics
Editor: Donna Gibson, MLS
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
American Cancer Society: What is Cancer Immunotherapy?
Includes types of immunotherapy now being used to treat cancer.
CenterWatch
Access oncology trial results for drug therapies in completed or ongoing clinical trials.
FDA Approved Oncology Drugs
The site contains the list of FDA-approved oncology drugs and regulatory information.
Approved Drug Products With Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations – Electronic Orange Book
The FDA produces this book which contains products that have been approved under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It can be searched by active ingredient, proprietary name, or application holder.
What’s New from the FDA’s Office of Oncology Drug Products
NCI Drug Dictionary
The site contains technical definitions and synonyms for more than 500 agents that are being used in the treatment of patients with cancer or cancer-related conditions.
RxList
This commercial site can be searched by drug name, pill identifier, and supplements, and symptom checker; you can also access a drug medical dictionary.
Cancer Care Ontario Drug Formulary
CCO Drug Formulary is an online Cancer Drug and Regimen information only website, reflecting the choices of chemotherapy used across Ontario, Canada. Resources include monographs for healthcare professionals; drug regimens by disease and for supportive care and symptom control; plus ancillary information.
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)
This U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) site contains information on research projects and product approval. Not all links are specific to cancer or oncology.
Selection Process and Disclaimer
No direct recommendation or sponsorship by MLA Cancer Librarians Caucus or MLA of these listed web resources is implied. The resources referenced here are intended to provide general information for you. Some resources will contain information that is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily that of your own healthcare providers. Please consult your healthcare provider for individual information on your specific condition.
In developing this resource, the Cancer Librarians Section editors use and recommend MLA’s guide to finding good health information.
All sites on this page have been reviewed by members of the Cancer Librarians Caucus of MLA.
Page Update
This content for this page was last updated June 15, 2023.