Cancer Resources

Cancer Information - Get The Facts!

Cancer is a very complex topic. It is not just one disease. There are many types of cancers. Different cancers have different risk factors, treatments and outcomes. So, even though all cancers involve out-of-control growth of cells, the different cancers are really different diseases. As an example, someone who has lung cancer actually has a different disease than someone who has liver cancer. These two diseases affect different parts of the body, in different ways, and may be treated with different medications or other methods. Further, some types of cancers may not be life-threatening, while others can be very deadly. Also, some cancers are more difficult to treat than others.

Getting reliable, accurate information about the different types of cancer is vital to understanding them. Below are a number of very good sources of information about cancer from people and organizations who have the training, knowledge and experience that makes their information trustworthy. Cancers can be very frightening, to people who have them, their families and friends and the community. This is perfectly natural. But being informed and knowledgeable is the best way to combat those fears. We encourage you to seek out these sources and learn as much as you can.

Articles

Busting Cancer Clusters: Realities Often Differ From Perceptions (Benowitz, May 2008)

An Update on Cancer Cluster Activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Kinglsey et al., January 2007)

Understanding Cancer Clusters (Thun, 2004)

The Cancer-Cluster Myth (Gawande, 1999)

Resources

Local Agencies

County of San Diego Public Health Services General Information
619-513-5800

County Department of Environmental Health

Air Pollution and Control District

Carlsbad Municipal Water District

State Agencies

California Cancer Registry
The California Cancer Registry (CCR) is California's statewide population-based cancer surveillance system. The CCR collects information about all cancers diagnosed in California (except basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and carcinoma in situ of the cervix). This information furthers our understanding of cancer and is used to develop strategies and policies for its prevention, treatment and control.
1-916-779-0300
www.ccrcal.org

California Cancer Registry Pamphlets:

American Lung Association of California
San Diego Office: 619-297-3901
www.californialung.org

Department of Health Services, Environmental Health Investigations Branch
1-510-620-3620
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHIB/Pages/Home.aspx

Northern California Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (University of California Berkeley, Davis, San Francisco)
1-510-642-8365 (Marion Gillen)
http://coeh.berkeley.edu

Department of Toxic Substance Control
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/

National Agencies

American Cancer Society (ACS)
1-800-227-2345
San Diego Office: 619-299-4200
www.cancer.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
1-800-232-4636
www.cdc.gov

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
www.cancer.gov

NCI Cancer Information Service
The NCI's Cancer Information Service (CIS) is a national information and education network. The CIS is a free public service of the NCI, the Nation's primary agency for cancer research.
1-800-422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER)

Environmental Protection Agency
1-866-372-9378 (1-866-EPA-WEST)
Region 9 (includes CA)
www.epa.gov