Cancer-Related Web Resources

AARP's mission is to build a society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose. The Foundation leads positive social change to help people 50 and older, especially the most vulnerable, by delivering information, education and direct service to communities and families. In the Health section of their Web site, you will find current, evidence-based, and medically reviewed information about a wide range of cancer conditions, diseases, medical tests, medications, and treatment options. You can look up a drug, search their health illustrated encyclopedia, and find top-rated doctors and hospitals. Other sections on the site are devoted to presenting well-organized, easy-to-understand information on such matters as insurance, Medicare, Medicare, and long-term care.

Cancer.Net's Web site provides oncologist-approved cancer information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. This section of their site provides comprehensive information regarding cancer in older persons. Begin with the excellent overview entitled Cancer in the Older Person, which summarizes the most important issues facing older adults with cancer, such as physical changes, emotional concerns, and maintaining independence.

Other major chapters include: Cancer in Daily Life, which provides practical tips regarding how older adults can manage their cancer care and cope with financial concerns; Co-Existing Conditions, where one can learn about common conditions in older people with cancer that may affect their treatment and recovery; and Health Assessment, where one can find information on how doctors determine the ability of the older person with cancer to undergo treatment.

There is also a section explaining Clinical Trials, and a section containing links to additional practical online resource sites, such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Veteran's Benefits.

Cancerbackup, formerly known as BACUP and CancerBACUP, was founded in 1985 to give information, advice, and support to cancer patients and their families. This section of their site addresses issues which are especially pertinent to older adults with cancer, such as how to communicate effectively with your doctor despite hearing difficulties or eyesight problems, what treatments are most appropriate for your age and type of cancer, and what side effects these treatments may typically cause. There is also a section called "Common Cancer Myths", which addresses commonly held misconceptions that many older adults with cancer may have.

Since Cancerbackup is based in the United Kingdom, many of Cancerbackup's resources are UK-based, however, the site also contains a great deal of information which is valuable irregardless of geographic location.

Cancerbackup's content is written by cancer specialists and goes through an extensive process of consultation and review to make sure it is evidence-based. All information is reviewed every 12-18 months and the date of the last review is displayed along with the content.

The Intercultural Cancer Council (ICC) promotes policies, programs, partnerships, and research to help eliminate the unequal burden of cancer among racial and ethnic minorities and medically underserved populations, including older adults. Baylor College of Medicine assumes fiscal and organizational management for the Intercultural Cancer Council and provides the Council with a national office and Web site. The Eldery & Cancer Fact Sheet (PDF) lists a wealth of statistics that can help empower older adults with cancer, such as facts regarding cancer screening, disparities in treatment as compared to the general population, and access to care resources, such as insurance. The site also contains a section with links to additional practical online resources, www.iccnetwork.org/resources.

The National Institute on Aging has an "AgePage" on Cancer Facts for People Over 50. Information is presented in easy-to-read list format, and broken down into sections on "What Symptoms Should I Watch For", "What Regular Tests Should I Have" (listed by type of cancer), "How is Cancer Treated", and "Can Cancer Be Prevented". The page also contains a link to download a printer-friendly version of the same information, both in English and in Spanish. You will also find the institute's mailing address, toll-free and TTY toll-free number, and a link to the institute's publications section, www.niapublications.org, where you can find publications on more general subjects of interest to older adults, such as medications and supplements, caregiving, and gender-specific issues. On this publications page, you can also sign-up to receive regular e-mail alerts.

This National Institute of Health site is tailored specifically to the senior population, with large, easy to read text, and controls that allow users to increase/decrease font size and screen contrast, and even select to have the text read aloud. The section on colorectal cancer contains chapters on Causes and Risk Factors, Testing and Diagnosis, Treatment and Research, and approximately 25 Frequently Asked Questions. Each section is divided into easily navigable pages. The site also clearly displays the date the information was last reviewed and first published and a link to MedLinePlus for additional information on the disease.

This National Institute of Health site is tailored specifically to the senior population with large, easy to read text, and controls that allow users to increase/decrease font size and screen contrast, and even select to have the text read aloud. The section on lung cancer contains chapters on Causes and Risk Factors, Testing and Diagnosis, Treatment and Research, and approximately 25 Frequently Asked Questions. Each section is divided into easily navigable pages. The site also clearly displays the date the information was last reviewed and first published and a link to MedLinePlus for additional information on the disease.

This National Institute of Health site is tailored specifically to the senior population with large, easy to read text, and controls that allow users to increase/decrease font size and screen contrast, and even select to have the text read aloud. The section on prostate cancer contains chapters on Causes and Risk Factors, Testing and Diagnosis, Treatment and Research, and approximately 25 Frequently Asked Questions. Each section is divided into easily navigable pages. The site also clearly displays the date the information was last reviewed and first published and a link to MedLinePlus for additional information on the disease.

While many older people need help paying for health care, millions of them are eligible for, but not receiving, benefits from existing federal, state, and local programs. On this site, developed and maintained by The National Council on Aging (NCOA), seniors with limited income and resources can search, be pre-screened, and apply for, a host of benefits programs.

The site contains questionnaires that request information such as your age, residency, income, health conditions, what medications you are taking, as well as any special circumstances, for example, whether you are a veteran. Based on your answers, the site recommends which benefits plans you are eligible for, or believes you should compare.

There is adequate on-screen help content that provides background information to help you answer the questions as accurately as possible. The text is large and easy to read, and the layout is clear and easily navigated, making the site extremely accessible. Once your plans are selected, the site also provides you with links to pertinent fact sheets and worksheets.

The United State's federal insurance program and drug plan information's official Web site allows you to compare Medicare Prescription health and drug plans, find doctors, hospitals, and nursing homes in your area, search publications, find out if you are eligible for Medicare and when you can enroll, discover what Medicare covers, and plan for your long-term care needs.

There is also a long-term care planning tool, which, based on the answers to a few questions, helps you determine what long-term care services are available to you, how much you can expect to pay for long-term care, and what financing options are available to support your long-term care needs.

NeedyMeds is a resource clearinghouse for people who need help with the cost of medicine and other healthcare expenses. On this site you can search for assistance programs by disease, and cancer patients are able to find programs that provide assistance targeted specifically to their type of cancer. These assistance programs help pay for medical expenses including: medications, copayments, insurance premiums, and other out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Patients and/or their caregivers can download applications for each of the programs they wish to apply for, and a link to the program's Web site is provided as well.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance's mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment for those who are eligible for them. The site is organized into sections for patients, caregivers, and prescribers. In the Patients section, you can determine which assistance programs you may be eligible for by answering a series of questions and selecting your medications. You can then download applications to apply for the programs directly from the site.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance serves as a single point of access to hundreds of public and private patient assistance programs, including many offered by private pharmaceutical companies. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone, you can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669). The entire site is available in Spanish by clicking the "Espanol" link at the top of the screen.