The Internet Can Be a Powerful Tool
It can seem as though there are endless online resources, and this breadth of available information can often be overwhelming. We have compiled an abbreviated list of smartphone apps and online resources separated by category, including medical education, cancer advocacy groups, caregiving, insurance and legal advice, hospice care and forums.
Please note that there are many other credible, high-quality sites that might be helpful throughout the cancer journey. The websites and smartphone apps listed here are simply good starting points.
Medical Education
Governmental departments and notable cancer organizations are reliable sources for information about the medical details of cancer. These respected groups have extensive experience translating complicated scientific research and medical facts into accessible content for patients and their caregivers. The following websites from trusted organizations may be used to supplement information shared in the THANC Guide:
- National Cancer Institute
- American Cancer Society
- American Institute for Cancer Research
- Thyroid Awareness: January and Beyond // MedicareGuide
Need Help with a Low Iodine Diet?
This community of thyroid cancer survivors helps others by providing food options and information about the low iodine diet. They have an extensive list of specific foods, brands, restaurants and recipes that do not have iodine.
Struggling with Swallowing?
Explore DysphagiaFoodBank.org and discover resources, support, and diet guidance for anyone with a swallowing disorder. Learn more, eat better, live healthier today!
Cancer Advocacy Groups
Cancer advocacy groups promote research and awareness while providing advice on how to navigate the complexities of cancer. These organizations can be a good start for anyone interested in advocating for cancer awareness and research:
Cancer and Careers, founded in 2001, is a national nonprofit that empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in their workplace, by providing expert advice, interactive tools and educational events.
Explore Cancer Care for Seniors on Caring.com
Discover how senior living and cancer care intertwine. Make informed choices for your care or for a loved one.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Patient Resources
View National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) resources for people with cancer and caregivers, including guidelines, language translations, webinars, and more.
Prevention is the best protection. Stopping the spread of HPV is only one of the many reasons to get your shot. The HPV vaccine can also prevent six types of HPV-related cancers by preventing the infections that cause them in the first place. Get the Vaccine.
Caregiving
The care of cancer patients during treatment is vital. The following websites provide detailed caregiving advice and can empower caregivers to provide their best level of support.
The Negative Space shines light on the realities of caregiving, provides direct services to caregivers, and educates and equips those who support them with concrete tools and strategies.
Mobile Apps
There are many mobile phone applications that can be useful along your journey through head and neck cancer. These apps may help you keep all of your care information organized, help you kick a smoking or drinking habit or help you understand the technical cancer terms. It’s important to remember that an app should never replace opinions from your care team, but here are some we think you’ll find helpful:
Cancer Resource Apps
Cancer.net Mobile
This is a free app available on iPhone, iPad and Android. It includes tools to help plan and manage your cancer care from diagnosis through treatment. This app is available for Spanish speakers as well.
My CareCrew
This cancer support platform is easy to use and user-friendly, designed for cancer patients by cancer patients. It’s a free app available on iPhone, iPad and Android. It offers support and help on a daily basis. Just create your own CareCrew of supporters to get the help you need at any time.
Apps to Quit Smoking
Livestrong MyQuit Coach is a free iPhone app that helps you build a personalized plan with inspiration photos, tips, progress charts and badges to help keep you motivated.
Kwit uses cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you quit smoking or vaping through different strategies to confront your cravings. It’s highly rated and recommended by users, free to download and use, but it does have in-app purchases.
Apps to Help Communicate
Speak4Me
This free iOS app converts your written words into your choice of different voices.
Touch Voice
This medical speaking app for the speech impaired can be purchased for about $15 through the app store. The apps run on Android tablets, larger phones, iPads, iPhones and most laptops and desktops (PC and Mac).
Google Text-to-Speech
A free Android app that converts text to speech using several different voice options in many different languages.
Insurance & Legal Advice
Cancer treatment is expensive, and addressing health insurance-related issues can be complicated. Some situations may even require legal decisions. The following websites may be helpful in managing the logistics of cancer:
- Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
- Cancer Legal Resource Center
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- Financial, Insurance and Legal Information from the National Cancer Institute
CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
Cancer drugs can cost several thousand dollars a month, and insurance co-pays for medications can be 20%. This can leave patients with hundreds of dollars a month or more in co-pays. The CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance program helps seniors with direct payments to their medication providers to cover the difference.
Triage Health is a new program of Triage Cancer’s, which provides free education on the legal and practical issues related to navigating a chronic or serious medical condition. TriageHealth.org shares information on a wide range of topics. Things like, how to pick a health insurance plan, manage medical bills, navigate the workplace after a serious medical diagnosis, or complete an advance directive.
Triage Cancer’s 2024 Webinar Series and Registration is live!
- January 30: Understanding Health Insurance
- February 27: Managing Medical Bills & Getting Financial Help
- March 26: Improving Access to Fertility Preservation
- April 30: Estate Planning
- May 29: Benefits for Veterans
- June 27: Caregiving
- July 16: Understanding Your Rights at Work
- August 27: Maximizing Employee Benefits
- September 26: Medicare 101
- October 29: Paying for Prescription Drugs
- November 19: Tips on Accessing Care
Travel Support
Often, patients and their caregivers must travel away from home in order to reach the best doctor, treatment opportunity, and/or rehabilitation center. This can become expensive and difficult. Hope Lodge®, offered through the American Cancer Society, offers patients and their families a free place to stay while they traveling from home for their cancer treatment.
Helping Children Understand Cancer
Cancer in the family can have a profound impact on children. Explaining these matters to children as the family takes this journey can be difficult. These websites provide detailed information about helping children understand and cope with the changes that come along with diagnosis, treatment, and recovery:
- Pickles Support Group – Pickles Group’s mission is to provide free peer-to-peer support and resources to kids affected by their parent or guardian’s cancer.
- Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer from the American Cancer Society
- Helping Children Understand Cancer from CancerCare
- Telling Kids About Cancer
Podcasts
By Rechelle Porter and Genevieve Lowry
Rechelle and Genevieve share stories from their work as Child Life Specialists helping families cope with hospitalization and illness. Together they think about how those same tools can be applied to both the ordinary and the extraordinary challenges of everyday life.
Hospice Care
Hospice care is provided for patients in the last stages of an incurable disease. While medical care aims to cure or treat a disease, hospice care aims to reduce pain, manage symptoms, and provide emotional comfort. The following websites provide detailed information on hospice care.
