Cancer 101 Resource Library

American Cancer Society: Advancing Health Equity- Addressing Cancer Disparities
This page helps you see health equity through a cancer lens. It also has a list of ACS resources related to health equity.

American Cancer Society: Cancer Information in other languages
The American Cancer Society offers information about cancer including prevention, early detection, treatment, and managing side effects in 13 languages in addition to English.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) at the Rogel Cancer Center
Rogel leaders identified five goals for the DEIJ plan:

• Support a diverse workforce and inclusive work environment for all Rogel faculty and staff
• Create a supportive, diverse and inclusive training experience for all Rogel trainees
• Foster diversity in present and future Rogel leadership
• Inform educational outreach programs focused on addressing cancer health disparities
• Ensure equitable clinical research and patient care practices

Cancer Care
This resource provides information via phone or online to help with the many challenges after a cancer diagnosis.
Phone Number: 1-800-813-HOPE (1-800-813-4673)

Cancer Hope Network
This organization matches cancer patients with trained volunteers who have experienced cancer. Their goal is to provide support and hope for those on the cancer journey.
Phone number: 1-877-HOPENET (1-877-467-3638)

Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor
Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor is a local nonprofit affiliate of The International Cancer Support Community (CSC), The Cancer Support Community is devoted solely to providing emotional support and education to people with cancer, their caregivers and children — all free of charge.

Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)
The mission of the family care alliance is to improve the quality of the life for family caregivers and those who receive their care. Resources are available in various languages.
Phone Number: 1-800-445-8106

Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center Patient and Family Support Services (PFSS)
From helping new patients find their way to clinic appointments, to managing the physical side effects of chemotherapy, to assisting families in locating affordable lodging during extended stays, the goal of the PFSS Program is to reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families and develop strategies to address them. PFSS offers more than 30 different services, including: PsychOncology, Complementary and Creative Therapies, Symptom Management and Supportive Care, Support and Educational Programs, Spiritual Counseling, Grief and Loss Program.

NIH - National Cancer Institute
Description: Comprehensive information about covid-19 for people with cancer; including Q & A regarding vaccines.

Vaccines.gov
Description: Tool to help you locate Covid-19 vaccine and other vaccines.

Cancer Epidemiology
Description: The State of Michigan's Health and Human Resources provides information and resources about cancer epidemiology.

Michigan Health Cancer Answer Line (CAL)
Description: Cancer AnswerLine™ is a free community service for patients and families who have questions about cancer. This service is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to help answer their questions.
Phone number: 800-865-1125

Michigan Health-Rogel Cancer Center Patient and Family Support Services
Description: From helping new patients find their way to clinic appointments, to managing the physical side effects of chemotherapy, to assisting families in locating affordable lodging during extended stays, the goal of the PFSS Program is to reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families and develop strategies to address them. PFSS offers more than 30 different services, including: PsychOncology, Complementary and Creative Therapies, Symptom Management and Supportive Care, Support and Educational Programs, Spiritual Counseling, Grief and Loss Program.

American Cancer Society (ACS)
Description: Offers information, publications, and resources on cancer detection, treatment, survivorship, and end of life. You can search for local programs in your area. ACS also conducts and funds cancer research.
Phone Number: 800-277-2345

American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR)
Description: This organization focuses on research regarding the role of diet and nutrition in the prevention and treatment of cancer. AICR offers helpful guidance on ways to make healthy choices related to food, physical activity, and more.
Phone Number: 800-843-8114

Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Description: The focus of this organization is disease prevention, protection, conducting scientific research, and providing health information.
Phone Number: 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)

Medline Plus
Description: The information on this site is produced by the National Library of Medicine. This comprehensive medical library provides information about diseases, conditions, and wellness.
Phone Number: 877-696-6775

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Description: Site provides information about cancer types, prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and end of life care.
Phone number: 800-4CANCER (800-422-6237)

It is normal to have many questions about cancer. Ask all the questions you have, even if they do not seem related to cancer. You might want to write them down for your next appointment or phone call. It can be helpful to bring someone along to your appointments to take notes. Consider asking your health care team the following questions:

• What type of cancer do I have?
• What is the stage and grade of the cancer?
• What are the usual types of treatment for this type of cancer? Do you think those are the best options for me, or would something different work better? Why?
• Is there a clinical trial available for me?
• Is the goal of each treatment to eliminate the cancer, help me feel better, or both?
• Who will be part of my health care team? What does each person do? How do I contact them?
• Will my insurance cover my cancer treatment? Who can help me find out?
• How soon do I need to start treatment, and why? How long do you expect it to take?
• What side effects can I expect? Who can help with controlling or preventing side effects?
• Will I be able to work during treatment? Will I need to take time off or get help at home?
• How will the treatment affect my ability to have sex? To have children?
• Will the treatment cause long-term, or lifelong, effects?
• Who can I talk to about having cancer? Is there a support group or counselor available?
• If I have a question or problem, who should I call?

Find more questions to ask your healthcare team at www.cancer.net/questions. For a digital list of questions, download Cancer. Net’s free mobile app at www.cancer.net/app. Find pictures of the parts of the body that cancer affects at www.cancer.net/illustrations.

Biopsy: A sample of tissue that is taken from your body to check for cancer cells.

Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, usually by keeping them from growing.

Clinical trials: Research studies that use human volunteers to test new medications and other treatments. Clinical trial treatments are safe enough to study but may not yet be available to the public.

Hormone therapy: Treatment that removes, blocks, or adds hormones to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells.

Immunotherapy: Treatment designed to help fight the cancer by boosting the body’s natural defenses.

Prognosis: Chance of recovery or of doing well with treatment.

Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells.

Side effects: Problems or feelings that a medicine or other treatment causes. For example, nausea can be a side effect of chemotherapy.