Letters to the Editor
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Message boards can be very informative...
My wife was diagnosed with Brain Cancer last year, and sometime after her first surgery I found the Cancer Compass website, and it was very very helpful and sometimes we got excellent advice to take back to her doctors. I don't believe that doctors are mostly arrogant jerks, I have met one or two, mostly they are doing all they can almost all the time. I have noticed the younger ones are more adept at communicating with patients, making themselves available through email and cell phones, and often directing us to on-line information.
My wife's cancer was so rare, that sifting through white-papers online was the best way we knew to get information outside the doctors office. Much of what we have learned has helped us take a balanced approach to beating the cancer and making well rounded decisions. HOWEVER... this is not about self-diagnosis, and no medical decision was ever made with out a doctor directing treatment. I agree that self-diagnosis on-line is fraught with half information and lawyer speak that can cause a panic attack faster than you can say world-wide-web.