Understanding Private Cancer Testing Options
Private companies offer expanded cancer tests to assess drug sensitivity and advanced genetic characteristics, sometimes referred to as functional profiling. In this article, we define the different tests that have gained popularity, and outline the pros and cons of each one.
. First published on : Feb 12 2026What to Do When Things Go Better Than Expected: Finding My New Normal with “NED” Ten Years Later
I’ve spent a lot of these past ten years on cancer. Diagnosis. Remission. Recurrence. Lethal prognosis. A resolve to search the globe for every kind of treatment that might work. Thousands of dollars and hundreds of hospital visits. Thoughts every day about how I must write my calendar in pencil, not pen. Coexisting and cancer coaching. Surfing the waves of complications and side effects. But now? It feels like another page is turning.
. Last modified on : Nov 04 2025What Matters Now: Reflective Questions for Life After a Cancer Diagnosis
Exploring the question, “what matters now” may help us find what most needs healing in our lives. This exploration leads to deeper questions on how we wish to live after a life changing diagnosis.
. Last modified on : Oct 23 2025Tips on Moving from Anxiety to Empowerment: Reflections from a Cancer Coach and Thriver
Lindsay McDonell, a cancer coach, author, and CancerChoices volunteer guide, speaks about ways to manage anxiety as a person living with cancer.
. Last modified on : Oct 23 2025Our Options in Responding to a Cancer Diagnosis with Wayne Jonas, MD
CancerChoices advisor Wayne B. Jonas, MD, discusses our options in responding to cancer: by waging a war against it, or by focusing on healing.
. Last modified on : Oct 23 2025The Importance of Second Opinions with Mark Renneker, MD
CancerChoices advisor Mark Renneker, MD, discusses the importance of considering more than one interpretation of pathology reports used to diagnose what may or may not be cancer.
. Last modified on : Oct 23 2025Two Rules of Thumb for Cancer Care with Donald Abrams, MD
CancerChoices advisor Donald Abrams, MD, and CancerChoices co-founder Michael Lerner discuss two rules of thumb for cancer care: avoiding hasty decisions and verifying the pathology report.
. Last modified on : Oct 23 2025Suz Mondello: How I Responded to My Diagnosis and Created an Integrative Approach to Care
Suz Mondello, a friend of Commonweal and alumna of the Cancer Help Program, speaks with CancerChoices staff Nancy Hepp and Laura Pole about her four-year journey with cancer.
. Last modified on : Nov 04 2025Adrienne Dern: Still Here
My new life was about to begin, but I didn’t know that yet.
. Last modified on : Dec 27 2023Janet Spitzer: Breast Cancer, Surgery and Femininity—Part 1: Diagnosis
Janet Spitzer, MD, recounts her journey with breast cancer in a series of videos.
. Last modified on : Dec 16 2023