| as everything else, has been largely discussed on | | | | and encouraging. This cancer information is very |
| the Internet. There are many sites dedicated to | | | | helpful at the beginning. Another essential book for |
| cancer diseases, to people suffering from cancers, | | | | friends may be Facing Cancer Together: How to |
| to their friends and families. The Internet is a | | | | Help Your Friend or Loved One by Pamela N. |
| good source of valuable cancer information, but | | | | Brown. It can help a lot in guiding your attitude |
| there is more to it than that. It is a means to | | | | towards your ill friend. |
| integrate the suffering into a network of virtual | | | | Valuable cancer information can be found at |
| friends and supporters, which doesn’t let | | | | There is a large list of directories meant to give |
| them feel isolated and alone. | | | | orientation to people for any local cancer support |
| The Internet helps friends and families of | | | | groups. Most of them can also be found at the |
| deceased people to realize that they are not | | | | Cancer Information Network. There are many |
| alone with their pain, and that many people are | | | | organizations supporting cancer hotlines one of |
| going through the same terrible plot. One of the | | | | them is The National Cancer Institute, their site |
| best traits of cancer information sites is that they | | | | being reached at cancer.gov, others are Y-ME |
| unite people and help them overcome their grief. | | | | National Breast Cancer Organization (Their site is: |
| There are a variety of forums and online | | | | y-me.org/hotline), the RA Bloch Cancer Foundation |
| discussions meant to bring people together. | | | | Cancer Hotline (1-800-433-0464), and the Lung |
| Cancer is a topic of great interest for many | | | | Cancer Alliance Toll-free Hotline (1-800-298-2436). |
| people. Anyone can read and respond to, there | | | | There are also a lot of specific information sites |
| are options for instant messages with fellow | | | | about different types of cancers: see |
| cancer patients, cancer survivors, and cancer | | | | Mesothelioma-net ( a site, designed to offer |
| supporters. | | | | cancer information on the specific types of |
| One useful site for friends and family members of | | | | mesothelioma, its treatment, and coping strategies |
| ill patients is Cancer and Careers.com’s | | | | and so on). Another site which presents you a list |
| What You Can Do as a Friend. It props | | | | of all cancers is The Cancer Information Network |
| you up with information about what your behavior | | | | (at cancerlinksusa.com); and, of course, The |
| in front of the ill friend should be. You | | | | American Cancer Society (cancer.org). The latter |
| shouldn’t talk about certain things, neither | | | | one gives you information on everything from |
| be too optimistic, nor be too negative in your | | | | prevention and early detection strategies, as well |
| expectations. | | | | as treatment and cancer information by type. |
| Your main duty as a friend should be supportive | | | | |