Cancer Fairy Godmother

1-800-422-6237 The National Cancer Institute Help Line

The cancer line fields a wide variety of queries, including what to expect after different diagnoses; what to ask doctors; where to get help with financial, legal, and transportation problems that might interfere with treatment; the benefits and side effects of different treatment options; and what clinical trials are available for different diagnoses.

Callers are encouraged to share as many details as possible about the exact type and stage of their cancer, so that the staff can tailor the information they provide. “But if they don’t know this, we can help them formulate questions they can take to their doctor,” says Mary Anne Bright, a former oncology nurse who directs the program. “We will spend as much time with somebody as they need.”

Unlike many other toll-free help lines, “we’re not a pharmaceutical company, and we’re not collecting donations,” Bright adds. “We’re all about reporting the most accurate and up-to-date information about cancer and the results of research in a way that people can understand.”

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with cancer, consider calling the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-422-6237. You’ll find The operators can tell you about their personal cancer stories, answer your questions, help you find financial help for medical bills, put you in touch with medical specialists and local support groups, direct you toward clinical trials, and more. It’s a valuable, but underutilized service that everyone should be aware of. (Side note: Yes, this is actually useful medical information that appeared on the Huffington Post. Written by an actual medical scientist. It’s a Festivus miracle!)

Found Via BoingBoing  Maggie Koerth-Baker

Via Huffington Post Erin N. Marcus, M.D.

Via New America Media 

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