In 1998, I was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma and given months to live. I consulted more than a dozen leading oncologists and got conflicting recommendations. No one could tell me: ‘Which treatment is best for me?’

A clinical trial saved my life—despite itself being unsuccessful—only raising more questions. Why did this therapy work for me but not for others? Could my experience help similar patients? It was life-saving knowledge I wanted to share with all cancer patients.

Welcome to Cancer Commons.

Marty Tenenbaum, PhD Founder of Cancer Commons

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Our Services

We provide patients and their care teams with the actionable information and data they need to make informed decisions. We help identify and access individualized regimen of therapies that specifically target the molecular drivers of their disease and refer patients to a myriad of precision oncology services to help them navigate the cancer maze and minimize trial and error.

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Always Learning

What makes Cancer Commons unique is our continuous learning health system.

As we help patients identify and access novel tests, treatments, and trials, we learn continuously from every patient's experience—and share that knowledge with the world.

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Support Us

We've been helping cancer patients for more than a decade—and our services are free, supported by generous donations/philanthropy.

Please help us continue our work serving patients and changing the field of oncology with tax-deductible donation in any amount, and learn about other ways to support our mission.

Support Us

Since our founding in 2011, we have delivered personalized, evidence-based guidance at no charge to more than 10,000 patients and caregivers, supported entirely by philanthropy.

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  • Whether via email or phone, I found the representative polite, professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. And I like that they reached out to my oncologist.

    Donald
    Pancreatic cancer patient

  • When you’re completely overwhelmed by a glioblastoma diagnosis, it is quite miraculous to find Cancer Commons. Having a second opinion and someone to answer questions when we weren’t able to understand our doctor was very comforting. My husband’s tumor is currently stable, but we know where to turn if things change. Thank you!!

    Chris Bird
    Wife of a cancer patient

  • Spoke personally with both Leslie Jared, RN, and Lola Rahib, PhD—they promptly responded and answered all of my questions. They were both very helpful.

    Nancy
    Wife of a pancreatic cancer patient

  • I am grateful for the concise and accurate summary of my treatment options. I have been waiting 3 years for this. Your goal to close the gap between metastatic trials and patients holds great promise to speed up success.

    Michelle Kendall
    Cancer patient

  • I appreciated the quick response after my registration with Cancer Commons. The nurse navigator was prompt and compassionate. I knew my request wasn’t going to be buried and didn’t have time to wonder how long it would take before I got a response. The scientist Lauren connected me too was very prompt in giving me answers to my question. And when I asked questions... Read more »

    Gail Lung cancer patient

Cancer Commons is staffed by accomplished researchers with PhDs in the molecular biology and pharmacology of cancer and in Artificial Intelligence. They have joined the Commons to apply their knowledge and expertise to help patients research their options in real time using the latest tools of precision oncology.

Meet the Team
  • Curious Dr. George Logo and Cancer Commons Logo with photo of Cancer Commons Director of Technology Michael Kramer with his late son, Theo.
    NEW Curious Dr. George—Raising AI Right: Prioritizing Humanity in Precision Medicine

    April 8, 2025

    Here’s the latest from our Curious Dr. George! Read “Raising AI Right: Prioritizing Humanity in Precision Medicine” here. Artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise to transform cancer research and treatment. Here, Curious Dr. George asks our very own Director of Technology, Michael Kramer, about the powerful role Cancer Commons can play in shaping the future of AI in oncology. Having lost his son, Theo, to… Read more »

  • Curious Dr. George logo, Cancer Commons logo, photo of DeLeys Brandman, MD, Medical Director, Cancer Commons
    Curious Dr. George—Cancer Commons: Breaking Barriers in Cancer Care

    March 27, 2025

    Here’s the latest from our Curious Dr. George! Read “Cancer Commons: Breaking Barriers in Cancer Care” here. For more than a decade, Cancer Commons has helped patients and their care teams access the information and data they need to make informed decisions. Demand for this kind of help is only growing. Here, Curious Dr. George asks our very own Medical Director, DeLeys Brandman, MD,… Read more »

  • Curious Dr. George logo, Cancer Commons logo, and photo of Jerald P. Radich, MD, MA, MS, Professor, Translational Science & Therapeutics Division, Kurt Enslein Endowed Chair, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
    Curious Dr. George—How an Expert Would Manage His Own Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

    January 9, 2025

    Here’s the latest from our Curious Dr. George! Read “How Would an Expert Manage His Own Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia?” here. When facing a frightening new cancer diagnosis, some people ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks expert oncologist Jerald P. Radich MD, MA, MS, how he would handle his own hypothetical case of chronic… Read more »

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