Patient Guides

Patient guides

Plain-language guides for navigating cancer care — diagnosis, trials, second opinions, and patient rights. Every guide cites primary sources.

Understanding your diagnosis

Cancer biomarkers — EGFR, BRCA, HER2, MSI and why they matter

A plain-language explanation of the most common cancer biomarkers — what they mean, which cancers they apply to, and how they shape treatment decisions.

Apr 20, 2026

Cancer staging (TNM) — what the numbers mean

A plain-language explanation of the TNM staging system — what T, N, and M stand for and how they combine into Stages I, II, III, and IV.

Apr 19, 2026

How to read a cancer pathology report

A section-by-section guide to understanding a cancer pathology report — what each line means and which numbers matter most.

Apr 19, 2026

Navigating care

How to pick an oncologist — what actually matters

The factors that reliably matter when choosing an oncologist (and the ones that don't) — volume, subspecialty match, communication, multidisciplinary care, and second opinions.

Apr 20, 2026

How to find a clinical trial for cancer (step-by-step)

A plain-language walkthrough of how to find and qualify for a cancer clinical trial — using ClinicalTrials.gov, your oncologist, and NCI-designated cancer centers.

Apr 19, 2026

Paying for care

Insurance coverage for clinical trials — what the ACA requires

Federal law requires most health plans to cover routine patient costs for qualifying clinical trials. What's covered, what isn't, and how to appeal a denial.

Apr 20, 2026

Clinical trials

Clinical trial phases, explained

What Phase 1, 2, 3, and 4 mean in a cancer clinical trial — and how the phase should shape how you think about enrolling.

Apr 19, 2026

Cancer basics

NCI-Designated vs Comprehensive Cancer Center — what the designations mean

A plain-language explanation of what NCI designation means, how it's awarded, and why it matters when choosing a cancer center.

Apr 19, 2026

Newly diagnosed

Questions to ask your oncologist at the first appointment

A practical list of questions cancer patients (and their caregivers) should ask at the first oncology appointment — with the reasoning behind each.

Apr 19, 2026

Rights and access

How to request your medical records (HIPAA right of access)

Under federal law you have the right to access your own medical records within 30 days of request. Here's how to exercise that right for cancer care.

Apr 19, 2026