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.

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.

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.

News & Events

  • Curious Dr. George Logo and Cancer Commons Logo with photo of Jon Arnason, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center & Harvard Medical School
    NEW Curious Dr. George—How Would a Harvard Oncologist Manage His Own Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?

    Here’s the latest from our Curious Dr. George! Read “How Would a Harvard Oncologist Manage His Own Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?” here. Cancer patients often ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks Harvard oncologist Jon Arnason, MD, how he would handle his own diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

  • Curious Dr. George Logo and Cancer Commons Logo with photo of Brad Power, Co-Founder & CEO, Cancer Patient Lab and Co-Founder, CancerHacker Lab
    Curious Dr. George: Brad Power, Cancer Hacker—Redesigning the Patient Experience

    Here’s the latest from our Curious Dr. George! Read “Brad Power, Cancer Hacker—Redesigning the Patient Experience” here. Brad Power is a cancer survivor, specifically lymphoma, diagnosed in 2018. Since his diagnosis, he has been a particularly engaged patient, advocating for himself to ensure he could make the best possible treatment decisions. Now, through Cancer Patient Lab—an organization he co-founded—he helps other patients do the… Read more »

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

    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 »

  • My experience with Cancer Commons has been fantastic! Their support and advice have been extremely helpful. I will always be very greatful to the Cancer Commons team. They took the time to contact me by phone to learn more about my diagnosis so they could study my case and recommend options to consider. Thanks so much to all the people involved.

    Michael Goold
    Grade 4 glioblastoma 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
  • 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

  • The team at Cancer Commons provided options above and beyond what the local care team had offered. Such a great service for patients.

    Anonymous

  • Emma has been so helpful and kind to my wife.

    Husband of cancer patient