Online resources

A wide range of information is available on the internet. Below is a list of some websites that patients and their personal caregivers have found especially useful. This is not an exhaustive list but may be helpful in your search for information.

We know that it may be hard to remember everything the doctor tells you during your appointments. It can be helpful to bring a family member or friend along with you to your appointment.

You might also find it is useful to record the discussion, especially if you cannot bring someone with you, as a lot of information will be covered during the appointment. If you want to record the discussion, make sure you bring a recording device that you know how to use, like a tape recorder or a cell phone. Tell your doctor you would like to record the discussion and the doctor will let you know the best time to start recording.

Patients and families find it is extremely useful to bring a list of questions to appointments. The Cancer.net website has a list of questions that might be a useful guide when you are preparing questions for your health care team. Rank your questions in order of importance and, when you meet with your doctor, begin with the most important ones. If there isn’t enough time to have all of your questions answered during the appointment, ask your doctor who you can speak with to get your other questions answered.  

You may want someone with you at your appointment, to help you ask questions, understand answers or provide emotional support. We encourage you to bring a family member or friend with you. You will hear a lot of information during the appointment, and your family member or friend may be able to help you remember what the doctor says. They may also help explain other considerations (i.e., cultural issues, religious customs, financial needs, transportation) to your health care team.

Stanford provides professional interpreters who can assist you in understanding your cancer diagnosis and treatment plan and help you ask your health care team questions. For example, patients often have questions about other medicines they take, or about side effects of treatment and which foods may not work well with their medicines. Family members and friends may assist, but medical terms are sometimes more easily explained if a professional interpreter works with you, your family and your doctor.

The physicians and staff at Stanford are world class and they are committed to providing personalized care. Please share your health and treatment concerns with your doctor and, when necessary, request that adjustments be made to better meet your needs.

Your opinions and reactions are always welcomed and respected as an essential part of your care. Expressing your concerns about the management of your healthcare will not adversely affect your care at Stanford. Transferring your care to another doctor can be arranged, although in some treatment areas, doctors work as a team, so excluding or including a particular doctor may be challenging.

If you prefer to discuss these issues with someone other than your doctor, you can meet with your Multidisciplinary Care Coordinator (MCC) or your Cancer Care Program (CCP) Manager. A member of your health care team or someone at your clinic's front desk can provide their contact information. 

"Staging" describes the extent or severity of a person's cancer. Physical exams, imaging procedures, laboratory tests, pathology reports, and surgical reports provide information to determine the stage of a cancer. Staging is important because it helps the doctor plan appropriate treatment. Learn more about staging from Cancer.gov.

Cancer treatment may change your appetite and the way that food tastes to you. It can change the chemistry in your mouth – more or less saliva, sore gums, dry mouth, and tooth health/decay. It may make your gums sensitive, altering your ability to eat and to get the nutrition that you need. These are some of the reasons it is important that you have your teeth checked by a dentist before, during and after your cancer treatment. 

We know that cancer is a scary word. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, it is important to know what to expect and what can be done to reduce your fear, stress and anxiety. Many resources, available at Stanford, in the community and on the internet, are available to help you and your family to understand and cope. Ask your health care team or the Stanford Health Library to help you identify resources that may be most useful to you and your family/personal caregiver. They may be able to recommend a variety of services, including a support group, a professional therapist, an exercise or stress-reducing class, and online resources.

A support group is a group of people who have a similar diagnosis, experience and/or concerns. These group meetings, facilitated by a trained professional (e.g., a social worker, a psychologist, or another medical practitioner), encourage the attendees to offer emotional support, advice, and encouragement to each other. Support groups can address a variety of topics, including active treatment, side effects, coping, caregiving, living life after treatment, and many other relevant matters.

Some of our patients and families have found the sites below helpful. We offer these as a starting point in your research. 

While no two patients are exactly alike and responses to treatment and related issues may differ, getting support from someone else who has “walked the walk” can be very helpful, comforting and encouraging. In some areas, we have a formal Peer to Peer support program or support group. If you are interested, please ask your doctor or nurse if these resources are available to you.

MyHealth is a free internet service available to all Stanford Health Care patients. It gives you secure, anytime access to your health information and to your Stanford team. MyHealth enables you to schedule many appointments, keep track of your office visits, view or update your health record, see and keep track of your lab results, communicate with your health care team and pay your bill.

You can sign up for myHealth during your next clinic visit or online any time through the myHealth website and selecting Request an Account. If you experience a problem with myHealth, please visit the myHealth Service Desk or call 1-866-367-0758.

An Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) is an important written legal document in which you designate another person (your "agent") to make health care decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself. The AHCD allows you to give instructions to your agent about your wishes for your health care. If you haven't already completed an AHCD, you may be asked to complete one, or you can request one from your physician, social worker or your spiritual care advisor. Printed copies in English and Spanish are available in the Stanford Health Library at the Cancer Center, and you can find a copy in a number of languages at iha4health.org.