Second Cancers

A second cancer is a different type of cancer from your original cancer diagnosis. Knowing some of the causes of second cancers can help you reduce your risk of getting a second cancer.

Detailed Information

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Second Cancers: Detailed Information

This information is meant to be a general introduction to this topic. The purpose is to provide a starting point for you to become more informed about important matters that may be affecting your life as a survivor and to provide ideas about steps you can take to learn more. This information is not intended nor should it be interpreted as providing professional medical, legal and financial advice. You should consult a trained professional for more information. Please read the Suggestions and Additional Resources documents for questions to ask and for more resources

A second cancer is a different type of cancer than the original cancer. It is diagnosed after you have completed treatment for the first cancer. Second cancers occur in only one to three percent of survivors. The level of risk is very small. In general, greater numbers of cancer survivors are living longer due to improvements in treatment. However, even thinking about the possibility of having a second cancer can be stressful.

Taking the following steps can help manage anxiety about second cancers. They can also help give you the best opportunity for early detection and treatment:

• Know your own cancer history treatment you received
• Learn about the symptoms of cancer
• Have regular check-ups and follow-up health care

Who is at risk for second cancers?

There is not yet a lot of specific information about how likely it is that survivors of specific cancer types will have second cancers. Current research shows that cancer survivors in general have an increased chance of developing cancer compared to people of the same age and gender who have not had cancer. This means that it is even more important for cancer survivors to be aware of the risk factors for second cancers and maintain good follow-up health care.

Whether or not you will have a second cancer depends on many different things. This may include your age when treated, the treatment you received, and your genetic make-up and family history. Even if you find you are at a higher risk, it does not mean that you will develop cancer again. Keep in mind that, although the risk is higher, the actual number of people who will get a second cancer is relatively small. Each cancer survivor's experience is unique.

The following is an overview of some of the risks for developing second cancers:

• Type of cancer

  The type of original cancer you had may affect your risk for a second cancer because some cancers require treatment with radiation or high doses of certain types of chemotherapy. It is not yet clear to researchers if the second cancer is caused by the treatment or by the original cancer, or by a combination of the two. Another possibility is that both the original cancer and a second cancer share certain risk factors such as an underlying cause, environmental exposure, or genetic predisposition.

• Age at time of treatment

  Children and young adults have a higher risk of second cancers related to treatment with radiation or chemotherapy than older adults have. Younger survivors have more at-risk years for second cancers. Generally, you should always be alert for symptoms of a second cancer.

  With age, the risk of cancer increases even among those who have never had cancer. Researchers continue to study second cancers in survivors. They hope to develop treatment methods that reduce the risk of developing cancer again. Generally, a healthy lifestyle may help minimize this risk.

• Type of chemotherapy

  High doses of chemotherapy medicines are associated with a small number of second cancers in some survivors.

  Types of chemotherapy that may make you more likely to have a second cancer include:

  • Procarbazine
  • Mechlorethamine
  • Chlorambucil
  • BCNU (bischloroethylnitrosourea)
  • Nitrogen mustard
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Ifosfamide
  • Epipodophyllotoxins
  • Anthracyclines
    
• Type of radiation

  The higher the dose of radiation received, the more risk for developing a second cancer. In general, the risk of having a second cancer from radiation is very low, and much depends on the amount of radiation given during treatment. For survivors of childhood cancer, radiation therapy is the most important risk factor for second cancers.

• Bone marrow transplant

  With longer follow-up of increasing numbers of survivors after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (SCT), an increased risk of second cancer is being seen. This may be related to treatments of chemotherapy and radiation, to effects on the immune system, and to genetic predisposition.

• Family history

  When cancer "runs in the family," survivors have a higher chance of developing second cancers than those who do not have a family history of cancer. Survivors from families who have "predisposing conditions" that increase the possibility of cancer should know their family history. They should also participate in specialized follow-up care that can help with early detection.

• Lifestyle

  Smoking, excessive alcohol use, lack of exercise, and poor diet are some of the unhealthy behaviors that might be risk factors for second cancers. These are the only known risk factors for a second cancer that you can personally avoid by choosing to change some of the habits that put you at risk.

  Sometimes second cancers happen in survivors who were not affected by any of the risk factors mentioned above. Second cancer risk factors can be very confusing. To learn more, ask your doctor to discuss your risk factors for a second cancer based on your cancer type, treatment received, and your general medical history.

What are some symptoms of second cancers?

Knowing the general symptoms of cancer is a great way to help you detect a second cancer early. The earlier a second cancer is diagnosed, the more likely it can be successfully treated. In some cases, second cancers cannot be prevented from happening.

Some types of cancer may not present any symptoms. Health care including regular check-ups and screenings can help detect problems early. Screening may include blood tests and imaging such as x-rays, CT scans, PET scans.

A second cancer can present one or more symptoms such as:

• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• A sore that does not heal
• Unusual bleeding or discharge
• Thickening or lump in the breast or other parts of your body
• Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
• Noticeable change in a wart or mole
• Nagging cough or hoarseness
• Fatigue
• Bone pain
• Changes in vision
• Constant or severe headaches

Keep in mind that having some of these symptoms does not mean that you have cancer. However, it is best to talk with your doctor if you notice these or other symptoms.

Open communication with your health care team may help them recognize signs or symptoms that are not always easy to see on your own. Also, talking with your doctor about concerns you have about second cancers may help relieve some of the anxiety that you might have.

Why does treatment for cancer sometimes cause second cancers?

No one knows exactly why survivors who have been treated for cancer develop a second cancer. Yet, there are some theories about why cancer and its treatment sometimes cause second cancers including:

• Some research suggests that chemotherapy and radiation may weaken the immune system making it easier for second cancers to develop.
• Sometimes chemotherapy that is used to treat the original cancer may cause the bone marrow to make abnormal cells. This might lead to second cancers in some survivors.
• Radiation destroys cancer cells and may cause damage to healthy cells. This damage may contribute to second cancers.

These theories do not mean that chemotherapy or radiation should not be used as treatment methods for the original cancer. Your health care team has a primary goal of treating the cancer the best way they can. Research is ongoing to create treatment options for survivors that decrease the risk of long-term effects and improve the quality of life for survivors.

Keep in mind that, in the past, some second cancers were caused by treatments that are no longer given today. Newer treatments for cancer generally use less toxic medicine than was used years ago. Research may show that this will ultimately result in a decrease in the number of second cancers that develop in survivors.

When do second cancers usually occur?

A second cancer can appear at any time during survivorship. Some studies show that a common time for cancers to develop is from five to nine years after completion of treatment.

Generally speaking for childhood cancer survivors, secondary leukemia is most likely to occur less than ten years after treatment of the original cancer. Solid tumors related to radiation may occur more than ten years afterward.

However, because the exact causes of second cancers are not yet known, it is difficult to predict when they might appear. Lifetime monitoring by health care providers who are knowledgeable about survivorship care is recommended--even years after completing treatment for the original cancer.

What can be done to minimize the risk of second cancers?

One of the most important things you can do is to follow-up with a health care team that is well-informed about survivorship care. Good medical care and screening can help detect second cancers early.

Other things that can be done to minimize the risk of second cancers include:

• Trying to find balance with a healthy lifestyle
• Knowing if your family has a history of cancer
• Using a health journal to prepare for your next visit with a member of your health care team

This document was produced in collaboration with:

Patricia C. Buchsel, RN, MSN, FAAN
Clinical Instructor, University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA

Works Cited

Castellino, S., Melissa & Hudson, M. "Health issues in survivors of childhood cancer." Southern Medical Journal 95 (2002): 977-984.

Deeg, H. J., Schwartz, J L. Friedman, D., & Lessening, W. "Secondary malignancies after hemopoietic stem cell transplantation." Perspectives in Medical Science (September 29, 2003).

Hudson, M. M., Merten, A. C., Yasui, Y, Hobbie, W., Chen, H. Gurney, et al . "Health status of adult long-term survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the childhood cancer survivor study." Journal of American Medical Association 290 12 (2003): 1583-1592.

Moore, I. K. & Hobbie, W. (2000). "Late effects of cancer treatment." Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practices, 5th edition Eds. C. H. Yarbro, M. H. Frogge, M. Goodman & S. Groenwald.

Morrison, C. H., Olsen, S. J. & Ashely, B. W. "Screening and early detection of cancer." Core Curriculum of Oncology Nursing. Eds. J. K. Itano & K. N. Talka. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 1998. pp. 695-710.

"Secondary cancers: Incidence, risk factors, and management." Cancer.org. S. R. Rheingold, A. Neugut & N. T. Meadows. 29 September 2003 http://www.cancer.org/downloads/PUB/DOCS/SECTION40/156.pdf

Hieb BA, Ogle SK, Meadows AT. "Second malignancies following treatment for childhood cancer." Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancer 2nd edition Eds. C.L. Schwartz, W.L. Hobbie, L.S. Constine, K.S. Ruccione. Berlin: Springer, 2005, pp. 283-294.

Children's Oncology Group Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancers, Version 2.0 (including "Health Link: Reducing the Risk of Second Cancers") http://www.survivorshipguidelines.org/

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Second Cancers: Suggestions

The suggestions that follow are based on the information presented in the Detailed Information document. They are meant to help you take what you learn and apply the information to your own needs. This information is not intended nor should it be interpreted as providing professional medical, legal and financial advice. You should consult a trained professional for more information. Please read the Additional Resources document for links to more resources.

• Try to find balance and live a healthy lifestyle.

  Take steps to maintain a healthy balance in your lifestyle:

  • Know your treatment history. This includes an understanding about your specific type of cancer and the amount of chemotherapy you received. It is also important to know about the location of the radiation treatment you received.
  • Work with your doctor to develop a survivorship care plan with recommendations for follow-up care.
  • Develop a schedule for screening exams and regular screening and check-ups with your health care team.
    
• Make choices to contribute to your health such as:
  
  
  • Avoiding tobacco products
  • Working with your health care team to develop an exercise plan
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight
  • Eating five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables a day
  • Performing regular breast or testicular self-exams and skin exams each month
  • Using sunscreen and avoiding exposure to the sun, particularly on irradiated skin
  • Getting enough rest and sleep
    
• Keep track of the history of cancer in your family.

  If there is a history of cancer in your family, it is especially important to understand risk factors and have regular screenings. Your health care team can help you decide if genetic counseling or testing is recommended.

  If you do not know about your genetic background, start talking with relatives or friends who know your family's medical history. In many cases, no one has written down the information and only an oral history is known. You can begin to develop these records for yourself. It may also be helpful to other members of your family.

  "My Family Health Portrait" is a useful online tool for recording your family health history. This free tool helps organize information. You can then print it out to share with the doctor and other family members. Go online to https://familyhistory.hhs.gov.

• Use a health journal to write down important information.

  A health journal can help you prepare for your next visit with a member of your health care team. It can also help you to keep all of your team members informed about medications, treatments, and other important information.

  Take the following steps as you keep track of your health care:

  • Write down everything you want to ask your health care team. You can make notes and keep track of questions between visits.
  • Make a list of your medications. Bring this information to the visit along with all of your medication bottles. This will help the health care team keep track of all the medications you are taking, including vitamins and over-the-counter medications.
  • Take notes during health care appointments.
  • Keep all of your health records together and bring this information with you to health care appointments.
  • Bring extra copies of important documents to give to appropriate health care team members. You can also fax or mail these before your appointment. Having the health care team read your documents may be an easier way for you to communicate.
  • Store pamphlets, information about medication side effects and important phone numbers in your notebook so that everything is in one place.

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Second Cancers: Additional Resources

The resources listed below provide more detailed information and support services to help you with second cancers.  Please read the Detailed Information and Suggestions document for more information and questions to ask.

LIVESTRONG Care Plan
www.livestrongcareplan.org

This free online tool was created to help you develop a personalized plan for post-treatment care. It can help you work with your oncologist and primary health care provider to address medical, emotional and social challenges that may arise after cancer treatment is completed. By answering some questions related to your cancer treatment, you will receive information about your follow-up care. This information includes symptoms to watch for in the future and steps you can take to stay healthy.

LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare Program
www.livestrong.org/survivorcare

Email: Send email through the LIVESTRONG website.
Phone: 1-866-673-7205
1-866-927-7205 (Spanish)
Intake Coordinator is available for calls Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central Time). Voicemail is available after hours.

LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare offers assistance to anyone affected by cancer, including the person diagnosed, loved ones, caregivers and friends. The program provides information about treatment options and matching to clinical trials or treatments in development. Counseling services and assistance with financial, employment and insurance issues are also available. To provide these services, LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare has partnered with several organizations including CancerCare, Patient Advocate Foundation and EmergingMed.

American Cancer Society (ACS)
www.cancer.org

Email: Submit questions in English or Spanish from the "Contact Us" page.
Phone: 1-800-227-2345
TTY for deaf or hard of hearing callers: 1-866-228-4327

The American Cancer Society (ACS) offers information about many of the challenges of cancer and survivorship. You can search for information by cancer type or by topic. ACS provides a list of support groups in your area. You can join online groups and message boards. Some information on the website is available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. ACS specialists can answer questions 24 hours a day by phone or email.

U.S. Institutes of Health - National Cancer Institute (NCI)
www.cancer.gov

Online: Online assistance is available in English or Spanish through the LiveHelp instant messaging system. This service is available Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (EST)
Email: Send an email through the "Need Help?" section of the website
Phone: 1-800-422-6237
TTY for deaf and hard of hearing callers: 1-800-332-8615
Information specialists answer calls Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time.

The National Cancer Institute's website provides accurate information about the challenges cancer can bring. You can search for information by cancer type or topic. You can find information about treatment, financial and insurance matters. You can also learn how treatments in development work and search for a clinical trial in your area. This site also has a good dictionary of cancer terms, drug information and other publications. Cancer information specialists can answer your questions about cancer and help you with quitting smoking. They can also help you with using this Web site and can tell you about NCI's printed and electronic materials. The knowledgeable and caring specialists have access to comprehensive, accurate information on a range of cancer topics, including the most recent advances in cancer treatment. The service is confidential, and information specialists spend as much time as needed for thorough and personalized responses.

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Second Cancers: Detailed Information This information is meant to be a general introduction to this topic. The purpose is to provide a starting point for you to become more informed about important matters that may be affecting your life as a survivor and to provide ideas about steps you can take to learn more. This information is not intended nor should it be interpreted as providing professional medical, legal and financial advice. You should consult a trained professional for more information. Please read the Suggestions and Additional Resources documents for questions to ask and for more resources. What are second cancers? A second cancer is a different type of cancer from your original cancer that is diagnosed after you have completed treatment for your original cancer. Second cancers happen in approximately 1 - 3% of survivors. Even though the risk of developing a second cancer is very small, it’s still a topic of concern for many survivors. Improvements in treatment for cancer mean that a greater number of cancer survivors are living longer. This also means that a greater number of cancer survivors are at risk for a second cancer. Health care professionals are learning more about the causes of second cancers. Researchers continue to study second cancers in survivors and hope to develop better treatment methods that put cancer survivors at less risk for developing second cancers. If you are worried about second cancers, there are things you can do to minimize your risks of developing a second cancer. It is also important to know the symptoms of cancer and have regular check-ups with your health care team. These can help relieve some of your anxieties and help detect symptoms if you do develop a second cancer. Who is at risk for second cancers? There isn’t a lot of specific information about how likely it is that survivors of different cancer types will have second cancers. Current research shows that cancer survivors in general have twice the chance of developing second cancers compared to people of the same age and sex who have not had cancer. This means that it’s even more important for cancer survivors to be aware of the risk factors for second cancers, know the symptoms of cancer and go to follow-up care appointments for cancer screening. Whether or not you will have a second cancer depends on many different things. There are certain risk factors that may make you more likely to experience a second cancer. Every cancer survivor experiences cancer and its treatment in different ways, so even if you find you are at a higher risk for a second cancer, it doesn’t mean that you will have one. Some of the risks for developing second cancers are: Type of cancer: The type of original cancer you had may affect your risk for a second cancer because some cancers require treatments of high doses of chemotherapy or radiation. It is not yet clear to researchers if the second cancer is caused by the treatment or by the original cancer. Age at diagnosis: Younger survivors may physically handle cancer treatments better than older survivors. Usually, their bodies can regain strength more quickly after treatment ends. This may make them less likely to develop a second cancer. However, younger survivors also have more at-risk years for second cancers - the longer you survive your original cancer, the longer you need to watch for symptoms of a second cancer. Type of chemotherapy: High doses of chemotherapy medicines are associated with a small number of second cancers in some survivors. Examples of types of chemotherapy that may make you more likely to have a second cancer: Procarbazine Chlorambucil BCNU (bischloroethylnitrosourea) Nitrogen mustard Cyclophosphamide Ifosfamide Type of radiation: The higher the dose of radiation you received, the more at risk you might be for developing a second cancer. The risk of having a second cancer from radiation is very low and depends on the amount of radiation given during treatment. Family history: When cancer runs in the family, survivors have a higher chance of developing second cancers than survivors who do not have a family history of cancer. Lifestyle: Smoking, excessive alcohol use and poor diet are some of the unhealthy behaviors that might put you at risk for second cancers. This is the only known risk factor for a second cancer that you can personally avoid by choosing to change some of the behaviors that put you at risk. Sometimes second cancers happen in survivors who aren’t affected by any of the risk factors mentioned above. No matter what you do to prevent a second cancer, you must also take precautions to detect second cancers early. All of these risk factors can be very confusing and overwhelming. You may be asking yourself, “But what are my risk factors for a second cancer?” If you want to know your risk factors for a second cancer based on your cancer, treatment and medical history, ask a member of your health care team to discuss your risks with you. What are some symptoms of second cancers? Sometimes you can’t prevent second cancers from happening. Knowing the general symptoms of cancer will help you detect a second cancer early. The earlier a second cancer is diagnosed, the more likely it can be successfully treated. Some symptoms of cancer are: Changes in bowel or bladder habits A sore that does not heal Unusual bleeding or discharge Thickening or lump in the breast or other parts of your body Indigestion or difficulty swallowing Noticeable change in a wart or mole Nagging cough or hoarseness Fatigue Bone pain Changes in vision Constant or severe headaches There are many symptoms of cancer; the symptoms above are just a short list. And just because you experience these symptoms does not always mean that you have cancer. However, you should discuss symptoms of cancer with a member of your health care team right away. With some cancers, you may not even notice symptoms. You might wonder what you can do to detect second cancers early when you don’t notice symptoms. Regular check-ups with your health care team, which may include x-rays, CT scans, PET scans or blood work, can help you detect second cancers early. Open communication with your health care team may help them recognize symptoms that are not easy for you to see on your own. Also, communicating with your doctor about possible symptoms or concerns you have about second cancers may help relieve some of the anxiety you might be having about getting another kind of cancer. Why does treatment for cancer sometimes cause second cancers? No one knows exactly why survivors who have been treated for cancer develop a second cancer. This can be very frustrating for you and members of your health care team. There are some theories about why cancer and its treatment sometimes cause second cancers. Feel free to discuss these further with your health care team if you are curious about what causes second cancers. Some research suggests that chemotherapy and/or radiation weakens the immune system and makes it easier for second cancers to develop in survivors. Sometimes chemotherapy used to treat the original cancer may cause the bone marrow to make abnormal cells. This can lead to second cancers in some survivors. Radiation also destroys cancer cells and may cause damage to healthy cells. This damage sometimes causes second cancers. These theories do not mean that you shouldn’t have been treated with chemotherapy or radiation for your original cancer. Your health care team's primary responsibility is to treat your cancer the best way they can, and, unfortunately, cancer treatment can have long-term effects. Research is currently being done to create treatment options for survivors that decrease the risk for long-term effects like second cancers and help improve the quality of life of survivors. Some treatment-related second cancers were caused by treatments that are no longer given today. New treatments for cancer use less toxic medicine than was used years ago. These new treatments will likely cause a decrease in the number of survivors who develop second cancers. When do second cancers usually occur? A second cancer may appear at any time during your survivorship. Some studies show that a common time for second cancers to develop is several years after completion of cancer treatment - usually around five to nine years after treatment. However, because the exact causes of second cancers aren’t known, it's difficult to predict when they might appear. This makes it even more important for cancer survivors to know the symptoms of cancer and continue to go back for cancer screenings, even years after they have finished treatment for their original cancer. What can be done to minimize the risk of second cancers? Below is a brief list. For more information, see Suggestions. Try to find balance with a healthy lifestyle Know if your family has a history of cancer Use the Live Strong Health Journal to prepare for your next visit with a member of your health care team This document was produced in collaboration with: Patricia C. Buchsel, RN, MSN, FAAN Clinical Instructor, University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA Works Cited Castellino, S., Melissa & Hudson, M. "Health issues in survivors of childhood cancer." Southern Medical Journal 95 (2002): 977-984. Deeg, H. J., Schwartz, J L. Friedman, D., & Lessening, W. "Secondary malignancies after hemopoietic stem cell transplantation." Perspectives in Medical Science (September 29, 2003). Hudson, M. M., Merten, A. C., Yasui, Y, Hobbie, W., Chen, H. Gurney, et al . "Health status of adult long-term survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the childhood cancer survivor study." Journal of American Medical Association 290 12 (2003): 1583-1592. Moore, I. K. & Hobbie, W. (2000). "Late effects of cancer treatment." Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practices, 5th edition Eds. C. H. Yarbro, M. H. Frogge, M. Goodman & S. Groenwald. Morrison, C. H., Olsen, S. J. & Ashely, B. W. "Screening and early detection of cancer." Core Curriculum of Oncology Nursing. Eds. J. K. Itano & K. N. Talka. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 1998. pp. 695-710. "Secondary cancers: Incidence, risk factors, and management." Cancer.org. S. R. Rheingold, A. Neugut & N. T. Meadows. 29 September 2003 http://www.cancer.org/downloads/PUB/DOCS/SECTION40/156.pdf Print this Topic Email this story

Second Cancers: Additional Resources

The resources listed below provide more detailed information and support services to help you with second cancers.  Please read the Detailed Information and Suggestionsdocument for more information and questions to ask.

Click a resource for more information:

• LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare Program
• American Cancer Society
• National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• MD Anderson Cancer Center
• OncoLink

LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare Program
www.livestrong.org/survivorcare

LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare offers assistance to all cancer survivors, including the person diagnosed, caregivers, family and friends. The program provides education, information about treatment options and new treatments in development, counseling services and assistance with financial, employment or insurance issues. To provide these services, LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare has partnered with several organizations, including CancerCare, Patient Advocate Foundation and EmergingMed.

The LIVESTRONG Survivorship Notebook is a tool that can help you organize and guide your cancer experience. The portable, three-ring binder contains a variety of information covering a full range of physical, emotional and practical survivorship topics. You may order a free LIVESTRONG Survivorship Notebook at www.livestrong.org/notebook. Shipping and handling charges will apply.

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American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org

The American Cancer Society Web site contains information about many of the challenges of cancer and survivorship. You can search for information by cancer type or by topic. ACS provides a list of support groups in your area, or you can join online groups and message boards. Some information on the Web site is available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. Information specialists can answer questions 24 hours a day by phone or email.

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National Cancer Institute (NCI)
www.cancer.gov

Cancer.gov, the National Cancer Institute Web site, provides accurate, up-to-date information on many types of cancer and the challenges cancer can bring. You can also use the site to search for information by cancer type or topic, and you can access information about treatment-related issues. Information about financial and insurance matters is also included. You can learn how clinical trials work and search for a clinical trial in your area. This site has a detailed dictionary of cancer terms. Web site information and publications are available in Spanish.

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MD Anderson Cancer Center
www.mdanderson.org

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Web site has information on many types of cancer. The cancer prevention area of the site has general information on screening guidelines, healthy living and reducing your risk of cancer. Recent news articles and studies on cancer prevention are also included. The site also has a section on life after cancer, which includes specific information for post-treatment survivors. The Anderson Network allows survivors and caregivers to talk to others who have had similar experiences, and a cancer survivor message board is also available.

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OncoLink
www.oncolink.org

OncoLink is a multimedia cancer resource provided by the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania.  Patients and physicians can get information about all types of cancer, news about research advances, and updates on cancer treatment. The Web site includes a clinical trial matching service, answers to frequently asked questions, or you can email experts with your own personal questions. OncoLink is also available in Spanish.

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