Cancer in the Medical Blogosphere

A blog is a website with regular entries commonly organized in a reverse chronological order.



Webicina only shows you blogs from the best quality. We highlight why that particular blog was included in our database, and also if the blog is accredited by HONcode (Health on the Net Foundation); meets the rules of The Healthcare Blogger Code of Ethics (HBCE); or complies with the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) rules.

Being Cancer Network

• Author: Dennis W. Pyritz, RN, BA, BSN, has been a cancer nurse since 1987 and a cancer and bone marrow transplant survivor since 2004. "
• Description: "The blog's purpose is to network people transformed by cancer. Being Cancer has some great features: a “How to start your own blog” page; a list of Cancer Blog Links containing over 600 sites, divided by type of cancer; a Cancer Resources page with over 300 links, again divided by cancer type; and a nutrition page. Mondays are Cancer Book Club discussions; Wednesdays are for Guest Blogs; Fridays feature a Cancer News Roundup. Other days you can read sections of a cancer journal or essays on various cancer-related topics. "
• Quality: It has been managed since February, 2009 and has clear contact information; description about the site and the author; excellent lists of cancer resources.

Dr. Len's Cancer Blog

• Author: J. Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, MACP - Dr. Lichtenfeld is Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the national office of the American Cancer Society.
• Description: Dr. Len informs patients and professionals about all types of cancer news.
• Quality: A blog of the American Cancer Society

Appendix Cancer Survivor's Blog

• Author: Carolyn Langlie-Lesnik RN BSN, 7 year survivor of poorly differentiated signet ring appendiceal cancer.
• Description: "This blog is dedicated to those who, the moment after receiving a cancer diagnosis, assume the identity of "cancer survivor" for the rest of their natural lives"
• Quality: Top 10 Blogged.com Health category.

Breast Cancer Blog

• Author: Kathy-Ellen Kups
• Description: Life with Breast Cancer
• Quality: HONcode accredited site

Cancer Bitch

• Author: Sandi Wisenberg
• Description: One Feminist's Report on Her Breast Cancer, Beginning with Semi-diagnosis and Continuing Beyond Chemo.
• Quality: Top 10 Blogged.com Health category.

Dancing With Cancer: Living With Mets, A

• Author: Jill Cohen
• Description: Now dealing with breast cancer for the fourth time since 1999
• Quality: Top 10 Blogged.com Health category.

I Kicked Cancer's Ass

• Author: Meaghan
• Description: I had Stage 3B Cervical Cancer. I received my diagnosis in February 2007 at 28 years old.
• Quality: An exceptionally designed, regularly updated patient blog.

Jayne's Breast Cancer Blog

• Author: Jayne England Byrne: I'm a breast cancer SURVIVOR & I live one day at a time. I'm also a freelance writer, incredibly happily married, and the mother of three amazing sons.
• Description: I was diagnosed with Stage 1 invasive lobular cancer in March 2006. At the time of diagnosis, I was 41 years old. Treatment: initial lumpectomy followed by bilateral mastectomy, 4 rounds chemo , oophorectomy, delayed reconstruction (tissue expanders replaced with saline implants), Arimidex.
• Quality: The blog has been updated since 2006 and has a clear disclaimer.

my Breast Cancer blog

• Author: Jacki Nicol Donaldson
• Description: "This is the story of my journey with breast cancer."
• Quality: A regularly updated blog launched in 2004.

Not just about cancer

• Author: Laurie Kingston
• Description: "I am a writer, mother, friend, reader, dog lover and knitter. I'm also in remission with breast cancer that spread to my liver. Still in treatment. Very hopeful. Living my life. And writing about all of it."
• Quality: The author was a speaker at BlogHer '08.

NPR My Cancer Blog

• Author: Leroy Sievers
• Description: A journalist for more than 25 years, Leroy Sievers worked at CBS News, the Discovery Channel, and ABC News, where he was the executive producer of Nightline. He wrote this blog daily until his death in August.
• Quality: NPR (National Public Radio) is an internationally acclaimed producer and distributor of noncommercial news, talk, and entertainment programming.

Spirit Jump

• Author: Meaghan and Stacy
• Description: Spirit Jump is a program that directly connects the gift giver with a person battling cancer. It was founded in November, 2008 by two young women who have both battled cancer.
• Quality: A well-structured blog that was nominated in the Best Charity Blog category in Blogger's Choice Awards.

The Adventures of Cancer Girl

• Author: Karen
• Description: "I'm a 33-year-old stay-at-home mom to the World's Cutest Kid, and I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in November 2005. This is a chronicle of my adventures in mommyhood, cancer survival, and everything in between."
• Quality: Top 10 Blogged.com Health category.

The Stupid Cancer Blog

• Author: Contributors are listed on the site.
• Description: A blog of the I'm Too Young For This community site.
• Quality: A frequently updated blog with a 9.2 Blogged rating.

This Time's a Charm

• Author: Don Wilhelm
• Description: "Don Wilhelm, author of This Time's a Charm and a 4-time cancer survivor, shares his knowledge and experiences with cancer through this Website."
• Quality: Famous author with clear contact information.

Women with Cancer

• Author: Jody Schoger
• Description: "Please join me as I develop an on-line community that supports, empowers and motivates women with cancer."
• Quality: Real author name and contact information.

The blogosphere (even the medical one) is so huge it is hard to track all the blogs you are interested in. That is why bloggers organize blog carnivals, special types of blog events. Each edition is a collection of the best blogposts focusing on a particular topic and is published on a regular schedule.

Cancer Research Blog Carnival

• Organizer: Kamel
• Description: Monthly Cancer News from around the Blogosphere

Grand Rounds

• Organizer: It was organized by Nick Genes, but now is managed by Dr. Val.
• Description: Grand Rounds, established in 2004, is a weekly summary of the best medical blog posts on the Internet. Each week a different blogger takes a turn hosting Grand Rounds and summarizing the best medical and health care discussions of the week.
• Quality: The best and most comprehensive carnival about medicine.

It does not only focus on cancer, but usually covers cancer-related issues.

Pink ribbon review blog carnival

• Organizer: Karen M. Lynch
• Description: Rounding Up Posts Monthly from Breast Cancer Bloggers

Real cancer, real lives

• Organizer: caryam
• Description: "Patients, caregivers & healthcare professionals will be encouraged to submit articles detailing their real-life experiences with cancer, be they uplifting, heartbreaking or downright inflammatory."