CANCER101

CANCER101 We’re on a mission to simplify healthcare—one person at a time—through personalized education, navigation, and support.

CANCER101 (C101) was founded in 2002 by Monica Knoll, whose experience with being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 inspired her to help others. Unfortunately, Monica Knoll lost her battle to ovarian cancer in June 2011, but through her supportive staff, strategic partners, volunteers and board of directors, her legacy and vision lives on through CANCER101. A cancer diagnosis is often an overwhelmingly frustrating experience. Patients and caregivers are immediately confronted with a deluge of new information, confusing terminology, paperwork, financial concerns and forced to make life-saving (and changing) decisions regarding treatment options. In addition, it’s a daunting process to coordinate travel logistics, navigate insurance policies or find help if faced with little or no insurance—all while managing daily work and family obligations. Having a plan of action, the means to stay organized and access to appropriate resources and information is half the battle. C101meets the cancer patient on the front line and turns a chaotic experience into a calm and organized plan of attack. Just as important, C101 is there after the treatments are over to help survivors manage important post-treatment appointments, medications and survivorship issues. C101 provides the tools and resources patients and caregivers need to partner with their healthcare team to make informed medical decisions. Participating in the medical plan, instead of being a victim, gives patients and their families a feeling of hope. C101 helps anyone affected by cancer including the newly diagnosed, those with a recurrence, metastatic disease, survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Our tools are designed to help all demographics including the under-served population. We also consider every recipient of the C101 tools to be a potential foot soldier in educating his/her friends, family & local communities about cancer prevention & early detection. C101 has distributed resources to over 600 participating National Cancer Institute and Association of Community Cancer Centers, as well as community oncologist practices, to provide free to patients in need. One of our main objectives includes tailoring our existing resources to meet the needs of various patient demographics. In an era of personalized care, accommodating the needs of patients is critical, thus we intend to evolve through partnerships and collaborations with other organizations to meet those needs.

Preparing for and waiting for test results after a scan or imaging test can be scary and nerve-wracking. The distress an...
10/10/2026

Preparing for and waiting for test results after a scan or imaging test can be scary and nerve-wracking. The distress and anxiety related to cancer imaging and scans is often referred to as “scanxiety”. It’s normal for scanxiety to occur, and it may lead to a lack of sleep, restlessness, heart racing and/or a lack of concentration.

Research shows that scanxiety affects >70% of people with cancer. It can occur before a test or procedure. For example, some people might have a fear of closed spaces - making an MRI feel more frightening, and not just because they are worried about the test results. A fear of needles is also common, which can cause dread in someone who needs an IV to be placed. Scanxiety while waiting for test results is most common before and after a cancer diagnosis. The looming text or email notifications from your patient portal can also lead to scanxiety, especially if your doctor hasn’t reviewed the results yet and/or they’re hard to understand.

What can you do about scanxiety? Talk to your doctor and healthcare team to set certain expectations before any tests or scans. Clear communication about the tests and when to expect results can help ease some of your worries. You can bring a supportive friend or family member with you or join a support group to help calm your nerves. You can also practice breathing and relaxation techniques and meditation before, during and after a scan. If you’re prone to scanxiety and concerned about seeing results before you talk to your doctor, you can change the notification settings on your patient portal.

Click on the link here for more supportive thriver tips and resources.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/how-to-cope-with-scanxiety.html

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in worldwide. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer for women in 1...
10/01/2026

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in worldwide. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer for women in 157 of 185 countries globally.

You can learn more about breast cancer risk factors in the link below, including those that you can control and others you can’t. Approximately 10% of breast cancer diagnoses are thought to be hereditary and caused by gene changes passed through family members. Acquired gene changes occur after birth and cause ~90% of cancers.

To help lower your risk, it’s recommended you stay at a healthy weight, be physically physical active, and avoid alcohol and smoking. Healthier eating, such as increasing your intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and beans, while reducing your intake of red and processed meats, can provide the fiber and nutrients needed to help fight cancer. If you have an increased risk of breast cancer, or are experiencing any symptoms like a lump in your breast, ni**le discharge, skin puckering or dimpling, or breast pain, talk to your doctor and click on the link here for supportive resources.

https://cancer101.org/conditions/breast-cancer.php

Your thyroid is at the front part of your neck and usually can’t be seen or felt.  It makes hormones that help regulate ...
09/30/2026

Your thyroid is at the front part of your neck and usually can’t be seen or felt. It makes hormones that help regulate your metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. In addition to age, other risk factors include s*x (it is more common in women), hereditary conditions (e.g., multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, a family history of cancer), and exposure to radiation.

A few symptoms of thyroid cancer are swelling, pain or lump in the neck, persistent hoarseness/voice changes, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and a constant cough that is unrelated to a cold. It is possible to get lumps in your thyroid that are not cancerous, so talk to your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. Click on our link here for supportive resources on thyroid cancer.

https://cancer101.org/conditions/thyroid-cancer.php

We’re reimagining the cancer experience for children and adolescents and proud to announce that we’re co-designing a CAN...
09/29/2026

We’re reimagining the cancer experience for children and adolescents and proud to announce that we’re co-designing a CANCER101 Planner to support their specific needs as they navigate cancer. Click on the link here to learn more about the current CANCER101 Planner and reach out if you’d like to join us on this journey of creating what’s next. [email protected]

https://cancer101.org/cancer-planner/index.php

The main function of a man’s prostate - a walnut-sized gland found below the bladder and in front of the re**um -  is to...
09/16/2026

The main function of a man’s prostate - a walnut-sized gland found below the bladder and in front of the re**um - is to make some of the fluid that is part of semen. Prostate cancer occurs when the gland cells start to grow out of control.

The most common risk factors for prostate cancer are older age (6 in 10 prostate cancers are found in men over 65), race/ethnicity (with African American and Caribbean men with African Ancestry being affected the most), a family history of prostate cancer, and inherited gene changes or mutations.

It is easier to treat prostate cancer when it is caught early. However, it is important to talk to your doctor about the benefits of screening versus the possible risks. You may have heard about the PSA test, or prostate-specific antigen test, which measures the level of a protein that is made by cells in the prostate gland. The test can have false positive or negative results, and researchers are still studying ways to help interpret PSA test results. Be sure to discuss your risk factors and other concerns to your doctor, so you can plan the best path forward for your next steps.

Click on our link here for additional resources on prostate cancer.

https://cancer101.org/conditions/prostate-cancer.php

The term “blood cancers” refers to a group of cancers that happen when blood cells grow out of control. A few blood canc...
09/15/2026

The term “blood cancers” refers to a group of cancers that happen when blood cells grow out of control. A few blood cancers include leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

Leukemia starts with an abnormal change in a single white blood cell in a person’s bone marrow—the soft tissue inside your bones where most blood cells are made. Lymphoma begins with an abnormal change in a single white blood cell (lymphocyte) in the lymphatic system, which are the tissues and organs that help you fight infections. Myeloma happens when there is a change to a single white blood cell called a plasma cell, causing it to become a myeloma cell instead of a normal plasma cell.

Despite the differences in blood cancers, there are some general symptoms, such as fatigue and weakness, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, bruising easily, night sweats, enlarged liver or spleen, persistent fever, and frequent infections. Risk factors may include being exposed to radiation or chemicals like formaldehyde, certain viral infections and genetic syndromes, weakened immune systems, and having a family history of cancer.

Click on our link here for information on each specific type of blood cancer in the "Conditions" dropdown menu. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerning symptoms or potential risk factors.

https://cancer101.org/

Blood Cancer United

This 4th of July, we celebrate 250 years of the United States! It is a celebration of freedom with the signing of the De...
07/03/2026

This 4th of July, we celebrate 250 years of the United States! It is a celebration of freedom with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and a chance for families and friends to get together for food, fireworks, and fun.

It is also important to remember to keep your celebrations safe. Stay properly hydrated, especially if you are spending most of your day outside at picnics, a parade, or the beach. Wear and re-apply sunscreen throughout the day, and wear protective clothing and eyewear. If you are grilling, keep a safe distance from the flame.

Be safe with handling fireworks - those are best when left to the experts! Make sure your pets are inside and protected from loud noises, as they can be scary and distressing. If they require any medications, make sure you have them on hand, and talk to your veterinarian for additional advice. And if your dog is microchipped, make sure their information is up to date. Have a great 4th of July holiday weekend!

Did you know the average doctor’s appointment can be as quick as 20 minutes? This doesn’t seem like enough time, especia...
07/01/2026

Did you know the average doctor’s appointment can be as quick as 20 minutes? This doesn’t seem like enough time, especially if you have a lot of questions. Don’t stress and worry about being rushed - take a minute to prepare for your appointment by following these tips:

1) Take notes during your visit (or designate an advocate to take notes), or ask your doctor if you can record your visit on your phone. This way, you remember what you heard at an appointment - such as answers to your questions, medications you might need, or recommended health screenings.

2) Repeat back to your doctor what you were told, like your treatment plan or diagnosis. If you can sum up what you need to do, you have a better chance of following through on these next steps.

3) Don’t wait until the doctor is on their way out. Bring up the more pressing issues earlier in the visit, to make sure those questions are answered first. Have you noticed something different with your reaction to any medications? Do you have a new pain that has been bothering you? Talk about those as a priority so your doctor also knows what is important to you.

Click on our link here for more information on collaborating with your healthcare team, and to download these tips for your next doctor’s appointment!

https://cancer101.org/where-do-i-start/what-to-do-during-a-visit-with-your-doctor.php

A cancer diagnosis can make you feel overwhelmed as you coordinate your care across different doctors. It can be difficu...
06/24/2026

A cancer diagnosis can make you feel overwhelmed as you coordinate your care across different doctors. It can be difficult to remember important information you heard during your doctor’s appointment, including options or next steps you need to follow-up on. You might also be experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions.

Our CANCER101 planner can help you prepare for your appointments and document what’s happening at home, whether it’s symptoms, medications or emotions you want to share with your healthcare team. It’s also a good reminder of what you need to follow-up on after your doctor’s visits, as it evolves into a tool you use to track your cancer care over time. The planner includes various trackers and templates to help document your health history and key milestones to help you keep track of your past, present, and future.

Click on the link here for more information about our indispensable CANCER101 planner, co-designed with hundreds of patients and their families, based on their real-world experiences, as well as clinicians and experts in behavioral science,
information design, and health literacy!

https://cancer101.org/cancer-planner/index.php

Uterine cancer is often caught at an early stage because one of the first symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, especia...
06/19/2026

Uterine cancer is often caught at an early stage because one of the first symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially if it occurs after menopause. The uterus is a hollow, pear-sized organ, and it is where a fetus is able to grow and develop during pregnancy. There are different types of uterine cancers and the most common is endometrial cancer, which begin in the cells of the uterus’ inner lining, or endometrium. Uterine sarcoma is less common and begins in the muscle cells of the uterus.

A few risk factors associated with uterine cancers are the use of estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy, obesity, a high-fat diet, genetic conditions such as Lynch or Cowden syndrome, first-degree relative with uterine cancer, race (Black women have a higher chance of being diagnosed with advanced uterine cancer), and radiation therapy.

If you are experiencing any unusual vaginal bleeding between periods or after menopause, reach out to your doctor for advice. Other symptoms may include pain or a feeling of fullness in your pelvis and unexplained weight loss. If you have been diagnosed with uterine cancer, click on our link here for our Patient Cliffs Notes for the basics to provide you with a simplified overview. https://www.patientcliffsnotes.org/

Address

450 Lexington Avenue #3151
New York, NY
10163

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when CANCER101 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share