There is an increasing amount of useful information about kidney cancer and its treatment on the Internet. You can immediately gain access to details of research developments, treatment innovations (including clinical trials), hospital facilities, kidney cancer specialists, conferences, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical journals, support organisations, government cancer policy and the experience of individual patients in the UK and other countries.

Naturally, there is concern about the reliability of medical information on the Internet. No one should take medical decisions on the basis of Internet information without considering very carefully the credentials of the source being used. Ideally, a patient should discuss his or her own Internet research with one or more qualified medical practitioners. It is particularly important to appreciate that there are different opinions about the most effective kidney cancer treatments, that no two kidney cancer patients are exactly the same, and that some treatments are still experimental.

The links which follow are arranged in alphabetical order and are designed to be of help to kidney cancer patients and their carers.

However, please note that KCUK is not responsible for their content or accuracy.

• Cancer Counselling Trust - Cancer Support Charity

  Offers free specialist telephone counselling service to cancer patients, their carers, friends and families.

  http://www.cancercounselling.org.uk

• CancerHelp UK

  Cancer information service provided by the Cancer Research Campaign's Institute for Cancer Studies at the University of Birmingham.

  http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk

• Cancer News on the Net

  Provides links to various sources of cancer information, including disease-specific sites, sites created by cancer patients, medical articles, details of clinical trials and cancer support groups.

  http://www.nhs.uk/Carersdirect

• Carers Direct

  Offers help and support to carers including advice regarding any financial assistance that you may be entitled to, as well as advice on getting a break from caring, going to work and much more.

  http://www.cancernews.com

• Guide to Internet Resources for Cancer

  Provided by the University of Newcastle, offers a list of UK, European and international cancer websites.

  http://www.ncl.ac.uk

• Hypnotherapy Directory

  Provides profiles of hypnotherapists and the different types of hypnotherapy offered to cope with emotional and stressful situations.

  http://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk

• Kidney Cancer Association

  Based in the USA, provides information to patients and physicians, promotes kidney cancer research and acts as an advocate on behalf of patients and their families.

  http://www.kidneycancer.org

• Macmillan Cancer Relief

  Offers specialist information, treatment and care to cancer patients and their families. Has a telephone helpline and can provide financial support to patients.

  http://www.macmillan.org.uk

• Medlineplus

  Provides a wealth of information about kidneys, kidney cancer, treatment options and relevant medical research with further links to many other useful sites.

  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/kidneycancer.html

• National Cancer Institute

  Provides details of research and treatment programmes for kidney cancer.

  http://www.nci.nih.gov

• National Electronic Library for Health

  Aims to provide health professionals and the public with access to information in all fields of medicine, including cancer.

  http://www.nhs.uk

• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

  An independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.

  http://www.nice.org.uk

• Penny Brohn Cancer Care

  A holistic approach to cancer integrating a range of complementary therapies, psychological support, spiritual healing and nutritional and self-help techniques.

  http://www.pennybrohncancercare.org

• South East Cancer Help Centre

  Offers a range of complementary therapies plus individual and group support to cancer patients.

  http://www.sechc.org.uk

• Travel Insurance for Cancer Patients

  For details of companies who provide travel insurance for cancer patients, please see the Macmillan Travel Insurance Fact Sheet via this link

  http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Documents/Cancerinfo/Travelinsurance

• UCARE

  Supports urology cancer research, education and the development of new treatments.

  http://www.ucare-oxford.org.uk

• Urology Channel

  An American health community site with comprehensive information about kidney cancer and its treatment. Provides a patient chat room, message forum and on-line discussions.

  http://www.urologychannel.com/kidneycancer

• Yes to Life

  A new charitable initiative to open up a positive future for people with cancer by supporting an integrative approach to cancer care.

  http://www.yestolife.org.uk