Last updated: August 2026
Why These Guidelines Exist
CancerSisters is a peer support community for people navigating cancer — as a patient, survivor, caregiver, or family member. Everyone here is dealing with something hard. These guidelines exist to protect that space and make sure it stays safe, honest, and genuinely supportive.
By creating an account and participating in CancerSisters, you agree to follow these guidelines. Violations may result in content removal, account suspension, or permanent ban — without prior notice.
1. We Are a Support Community, Not a Medical Service
CancerSisters is not a clinical platform. We do not employ doctors, nurses, therapists, attorneys, or any other licensed professionals to review or supervise what is shared here.
What this means for you:
- Nothing shared on CancerSisters — by members, staff, or volunteers — is medical, legal, financial, or psychological advice
- Always consult your doctor, specialist, attorney, or other qualified professional before making decisions about your treatment, health, legal rights, or finances
- What worked for someone else may not be right for you — individual circumstances vary enormously
- We encourage sharing experiences; we ask that you frame them as personal experience, not prescriptive guidance
If you are in crisis, please contact a professional crisis line immediately. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or 1-800-273-8255.
2. How We Expect Members to Treat Each Other
Every person in this community deserves to be treated with dignity. We ask that you:
- Lead with kindness. People here may be scared, exhausted, grieving, or in pain. Assume the best.
- Respect different paths. Members make different choices about treatment, spirituality, family, and end of life. This is not a place to judge those choices.
- Share from your own experience. Use "I" language. Don't tell people what they should do.
- Protect privacy. Do not share another member's personal information outside the platform or without their explicit consent.
- Be honest. Don't misrepresent yourself, your credentials, or your situation.
- Welcome newcomers. Remember what it felt like to arrive here for the first time.
3. What Is Not Allowed
The following behaviors are strictly prohibited. Violations may result in immediate, permanent account termination without :
Hate and Discrimination
- Racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise hateful language or imagery
- Content that demeans, stereotypes, or attacks people based on identity, background, or beliefs
Harassment and Threats
- Targeting, bullying, or intimidating any member or person
- Repeated unwanted contact after someone has asked you to stop
- Threatening language, including veiled or implied threats
Harm Promotion
- Encouraging, glorifying, or providing instructions for self-harm or suicide
- Discouraging members from pursuing recommended medical treatment
- Spreading dangerous medical misinformation (e.g., claiming unproven treatments cure cancer)
Exploitation and Abuse
- Impersonating another person, including presenting yourself as a licensed professional when you are not
- Predatory behavior of any kind toward members
- Sharing content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes minors
Spam and Commercial Activity
- Unsolicited advertising, promotions, or solicitations
- Multi-level marketing or pyramid scheme recruitment
- Posting the same content repeatedly across the community
4. Content You Post
You are responsible for everything you share. CancerSisters does not verify the accuracy of member-posted content and is not responsible for it.
When you post content here, you grant CancerSisters a non-exclusive license to display and distribute it as part of operating the platform. You retain ownership of what you share.
If you see content that concerns you, please report it. We review every report.
5. Age Requirement
You must be at least 13 years old to have an account. Members under 18 must have parental or guardian consent. Accounts found to belong to users under 13 will be immediately closed.
6. Enforcement
We take community safety seriously and act on violations as we become aware of them. We reserve the right to:
- Remove any content at any time, with or without notice
- Suspend or permanently ban any account, with or without prior warning
- Report conduct to law enforcement when appropriate
Enforcement decisions are at our sole discretion and are not subject to appeal.
7. Questions and Reporting
To report a concern or ask a question about these guidelines, contact us at [email protected].
These guidelines are part of your agreement to use CancerSisters, alongside our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.