Cancer Commons Participation and Consent Agreement

Cancer Commons is honored to provide you or your loved one with personalized services and support during this very difficult time. This Agreement details our services, policies, and procedures, and governs the services provided by Cancer Commons and any third-party partner, affiliate, provider, or other contracted service.

Services
Cancer Commons navigators and scientists will offer support and information on options, which can include testing, treatment, and clinical trial options potentially relevant to your current medical condition (the “Services”).

We provide some Services via phone or teleconference. This can involve the use of audio, video, or other electronic communications to interact with you, consult with your designated caregiver, review your medical health information for the purpose of researching treatment options, follow-up, and/or education.

During your consultation with our team, details of your medical history and personal health information may be discussed with other health professionals using similar interactive technology.

Confidentiality and Compliance
Cancer Commons will take precautions to keep your health information confidential and not disclose it without your consent. You are also protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) and any other applicable federal and state laws related to protection of patient information. You can review the most up-to-date version of Cancer Commons’ Privacy Policy on our website.

Consent to E-mail and Communication
By providing your e-mail and/or phone number to Cancer Commons via the registration process you agree to receive phone calls, texts, and/or e-mails on your cell phone, computer, or other devices. When you communicate with Cancer Commons via e-mail and/or text message, you are consenting for Cancer Commons to respond to you utilizing the same communication method.

Communications sent by Cancer Commons may include your medical information, introductions to other medical professionals or business entities, and/or educational resources.

E-mail or text messages sent without encryption are not secure. There is a risk such communications could be intercepted by unknown third parties. E-mail content may be changed without the knowledge of the sender or receiver, backup copies of e-mail may still exist even after the sender and receiver have deleted the messages, and e-mail can contain harmful viruses and other programs. Additionally, in rare circumstances, security protocols could fail, causing a breach of patient privacy.

CANCER COMMONS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU DELETE ALL MESSAGES AND E-MAILS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER REVIEWING THEM TO LIMIT ANY UNAUTHORIZED EXPOSURE. 

Geographic Specification/Limitation
The Services are intended for use only within the United States and its territories. Cancer Commons makes no representation that the Services are appropriate or available for use outside the US. Those who choose to access and use our Services from outside the US do so at their own risk, and are responsible for compliance with applicable laws.

Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
Cancer Commons should never, under any circumstance, be used for emergency healthcare needs. You must seek immediate medical attention through a hospital or medical professional.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CANCER COMMONS AND ITS AGENTS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL ADVICE NOR IS IT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT OR OTHER HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

IN NO EVENT WILL CANCER COMMONS OR ITS EMPLOYEES, EXPERTS, PROVIDERS, AFFILIATES, OR PARTNERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, LOSSES, OR EXPENSES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INFORMATION PROVIDED.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, EXCEPT IN CASE OF NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, CANCER COMMONS AND ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, OR PROVIDERS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE, INCLUDING PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, RESULTING FROM ANYONE’S USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE CANCER COMMONS SERVICES.

When you register and participate in Cancer Commons Services, you are invited to consent to the following:

You consent for Cancer Commons to:Why we do this:
Collect and review your medical information as a designated third-party* requester under your HIPAA “right-of-access”. This is a “blanket release” and applies to both past and future medical records.
 
* Research organizations such as academic centers, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, technology companies, and individual researchers.
Collecting information about your case allows our team to offer you personalized treatment options, as well as track your treatment, diagnosis/es, and progress over time.
Analyze your data in combination with other patients’ data.Analyzing the data we receive from you and other patients may allow us to learn which treatments work best for different patients and why.
Share de-identified* data about your case with other patients or their doctors, or third-party cancer researchers.
 
* “De-identified” means your personal (identifying) details have been permanently removed or are never included.
Sharing information about which treatments may or may not have worked for you and other patients can help inform future patients and doctors of the best potential treatment options, and help researchers investigate and develop new or better cancer treatments.

You have the right to agree to receive Services from Cancer Commons and not have us share your de-identified data for research. If you do not wish your de-identified data to be analyzed for research, or for Cancer Commons to share your de-identified data with third-party researchers or other entities interested in cancer research for improving their services or offerings, you may notify your navigator at any time.

Cancer Commons partners and/or collaborates with other organizations on initiatives that may benefit you and/or others. Your navigator will let you know if any of these apply to you and offer you the opportunity to participate. Each partner will have separate Participation and Consent Agreements. It is your responsibility to read their Agreements and determine whether you participate in or opt out of data-sharing for that initiative.

I understand the benefits and risks of receiving these Services and have had the opportunity to ask questions. I understand that I may withdraw my consent to receive Services by no longer seeking Services from Cancer Commons.