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A step-by-step guide

Newly diagnosed with cancer

A clear, trusted guide to understanding your diagnosis, preparing for treatment, and finding the support you need along the way. A cancer diagnosis can make one feel overwhelmed. This guide helps you make sense of the essentials — from your pathology report, stage, and treatment options to clinical trials, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, caregiving, and practical support.

Understand Your DiagnosisExplore Treatment & Care
  • Part 1Understand your diagnosis5 topics
  • Part 2Plan your treatment5 topics
  • Part 3Care for body, mind & life4 topics

The first steps

You don’t have to figure everything out at once

After a diagnosis, it can be difficult to know what matters first. Start with the information that will help you understand what your cancer is, how it is being evaluated, and what comes next.

Your care team may need additional tests before recommending a treatment plan. The exact path depends on your cancer type, stage, overall health, and other characteristics of your cancer.

Part 1 · Understand your diagnosisTopic 1 of 14

Start with what you know

Understanding Your Diagnosis

Before you can make decisions about treatment, you need to understand what you have been diagnosed with.

Start by identifying the basics · 7
  1. What type of cancer is it?
  2. Where did it begin?
  3. What is the specific subtype?
  4. Has the cancer spread?
  5. What is its stage and grade?
  6. Are additional tests needed?
  7. Are there biomarkers or genetic changes that could affect treatment?

Cancer diagnosis may involve a combination of medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging, biopsy, and other procedures. A biopsy is often used to confirm cancer, while additional testing helps determine the characteristics and extent of the disease.

Start with the information you already have.

Collect copies of your:

Pathology reportsImaging reportsBlood testsBiopsy resultsScan imagesPrevious medical records

Keeping these together can make conversations with your cancer care team — and any second-opinion specialist easier.

Explore Cancer Types
Understanding Your Pathology Report
Part 1 · Understand your diagnosisTopic 2 of 14

Making sense of your cancer

Cancer Staging

Stage helps describe how far the cancer has developed.

Cancer stage generally describes the extent of cancer in the body, including factors such as the size or extent of the primary tumor and whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Doctors may use imaging, laboratory tests, biopsies, surgery, and other procedures to determine stage. Knowing the stage helps the care team plan treatment and identify clinical trials that may be appropriate.

What does the stage tell you?

Depending on the type of cancer, you may hear terms such as:

Stage 0Stage IStage IIStage IIIStage IV

But staging systems vary between cancers. Some cancers use different staging approaches altogether.

Your stage is only one part of your individual cancer picture. Your cancer type, grade, biomarkers, overall health, and other factors can also influence treatment decisions.

Learn More About Cancer Staging
Part 1 · Understand your diagnosisTopic 3 of 14

Looking beyond the stage

Cancer Grade

Stage tells you the extent of spread. Grade tells you about the cancer cells.

Cancer grade describes how abnormal cancer cells look under a microscope and, for cancers where grading is used, can provide information about how the tumor may behave.

A pathologist determines the grade by examining tissue from a biopsy or surgical specimen. Grading systems differ depending on the type of cancer.

You may see terms such as:

Well differentiatedModerately differentiatedPoorly differentiatedUndifferentiated

Or a numerical grade such as Grade 1, 2, 3, or 4, depending on the cancer.

Stage and grade are not the same.

Understanding both can help you have a clearer conversation with your care team about your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Understand Cancer Grade
Part 1 · Understand your diagnosisTopic 4 of 14

Understanding what makes your cancer unique

Biomarkers & Genetic Testing

Your cancer has its own biological characteristics.

Biomarker testing looks for genes, proteins, or other substances associated with your cancer. Depending on the cancer, these results may help doctors determine whether particular treatments could be appropriate.

Some cancers are routinely tested for specific biomarkers, while broader genomic testing may be considered in other situations.

You may hear terms such as:

Biomarker testingMolecular testingTumor profilingGenomic testingGenetic testing

These terms do not all mean the same thing.

It’s important to ask your care team · 5
  1. Is biomarker testing recommended for my cancer?
  2. Which biomarkers should be tested?
  3. What could the results mean for treatment?
  4. Could testing identify a targeted treatment or clinical trial?
  5. Is the testing performed on my tumor, blood, or both?
Explore Biomarker Testing
Part 1 · Understand your diagnosisTopic 5 of 14

Reading the details

Understanding Your Pathology Report

Your pathology report contains some of the most important information about your diagnosis.

A pathologist examines tissue or cells collected during a biopsy or surgery and prepares a report describing what was found. Depending on your cancer, the report may include the cancer type, tumor characteristics, grade, lymph node involvement, margins, and results of additional testing.

What you may see in your report

Diagnosis

The specific type of cancer identified.

Tumor characteristics

Information about the appearance and characteristics of the cancer cells.

Grade

How abnormal the cells appear and, depending on the cancer, how aggressively they may behave.

Margins

Whether cancer cells are present at the edges of tissue removed during surgery.

Lymph nodes

Whether cancer has been found in sampled lymph nodes.

Biomarkers or molecular findings

Additional characteristics that may help guide treatment.

You don’t need to decode the report alone. Let professionals help.

Pathology reports contain medical terminology that can be difficult to interpret without context. Bring your report to your oncology appointment and ask your care team to explain the findings that are relevant to your treatment.

Learn How to Read a Pathology Report
Part 2 · Plan your treatmentTopic 6 of 14

Building your care team

Finding the Right Cancer Care Team

The right care team can help you understand your diagnosis, weigh your options, and navigate treatment with greater confidence.

Cancer care often involves more than one specialist. Depending on your diagnosis, your team may include a medical oncologist, surgical oncologist, radiation oncologist, pathologist, radiologist, oncology nurse, nutrition professional, social worker, or other specialists.

Understanding who is involved, and what each person does, can make it easier to navigate your care.

Your care team may include:

Medical Oncologist

A doctor who uses medicines such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy to treat cancer.

Surgical Oncologist

A surgeon who specializes in treating cancer through surgery.

Radiation Oncologist

A doctor who specializes in using radiation therapy to treat cancer.

Pathologist

A physician who examines tissue and cells to help diagnose and characterize cancer.

Radiologist

A physician who interprets imaging studies such as CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic images.

Your broader care team may also include oncology nurses, pharmacists, nutrition professionals, social workers, psychologists, rehabilitation specialists, and other healthcare professionals.

Questions to consider · 6
  1. Who is coordinating my overall cancer care?
  2. Which specialists do I need to see?
  3. Does my diagnosis require a multidisciplinary team?
  4. Should I consider getting a second opinion?
  5. Does this cancer center have experience treating my specific cancer?
  6. Who should I contact when I have questions between appointments?

You do not have to choose or understand every member of your care team immediately. Your doctors can help explain who is involved and why.

Explore Cancer Care & Specialists
Part 2 · Plan your treatmentTopic 7 of 14

Understanding your options

Treatment Options

Your treatment plan is built around your cancer — not just its name.

There is no single treatment approach that applies to every cancer. Treatment may involve one therapy or a combination of approaches depending on the cancer type, stage, biomarkers, overall health, and treatment goals.

Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include:

Surgery

Removing a tumor or cancerous tissue.

Radiation Therapy

Using high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells or shrink tumors.

Chemotherapy

Using medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.

Immunotherapy

Helping the immune system recognize and fight cancer.

Targeted Therapy

Targeting specific proteins or molecular changes that help cancer cells grow or spread.

Hormone Therapy

Blocking or lowering hormones that certain cancers need to grow.

Stem Cell Transplantation and Other Therapies

Used for certain cancers and specific circumstances.

Some people may also receive supportive or palliative care alongside cancer-directed treatment.

Ask about the purpose of every treatment.

Your doctor should be able to explain · 7
  1. What is this treatment intended to do?
  2. What are the potential benefits?
  3. What are the risks and side effects?
  4. Are there alternatives?
  5. How will we know whether it is working?
  6. What happens if I choose not to have this treatment?
  7. Are there clinical trials I should consider?
Explore Cancer Treatment & Care
Part 2 · Plan your treatmentTopic 8 of 14

Preparing for the conversation

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Good questions can help you make informed decisions.

It is completely reasonable to need information more than once. Before appointments, write down your questions and bring someone with you if that would help you listen, take notes, or remember what was discussed.

About your diagnosis · 6
  1. What type of cancer do I have?
  2. What is the stage?
  3. What is the grade?
  4. Has the cancer spread?
  5. Do I need any additional tests?
  6. Are there biomarkers or genetic changes that we should test for?
About treatment · 7
  1. What treatments are available to me?
  2. What do you recommend, and why?
  3. What are the potential benefits and risks?
  4. What side effects should I expect?
  5. How long will treatment last?
  6. How will we know whether treatment is working?
  7. Will treatment affect my work, daily activities, fertility, or other parts of my life?
About my care team · 4
  1. Which specialists will be involved in my care?
  2. Should I consider a second opinion?
  3. Where will I receive treatment?
  4. Who should I contact if I have questions between appointments?
About clinical trials · 3
  1. Is there a clinical trial that may be appropriate for me?
  2. What would participation involve?
  3. How would the trial treatment differ from standard treatment?
Download / View Doctor Appointment Question Checklist
Part 2 · Plan your treatmentTopic 9 of 14

Getting ready for what comes next

Preparing for Treatment

Once you know what comes next, preparation can make the process easier.

Cancer treatment can involve new doctors, appointments, medications, procedures, side effects, paperwork, and changes to your daily routine. Organizing important information before treatment begins can help you keep track of what is happening and communicate more easily with your care team.

Build your cancer care folder.

Keep copies of:

  • Pathology reports
  • Scan and imaging reports
  • Laboratory results
  • Medication list
  • Treatment plan
  • Doctor and hospital contacts
  • Insurance and financial documents
  • Questions for your next appointment

Plan for the practical side of treatment.

Depending on your treatment, you may want to arrange

  • Transportation to appointments
  • Help at home
  • Work or leave arrangements
  • Childcare or dependent care
  • Prescription and medication organization
  • Meals and groceries
  • A person who can accompany you to important appointments

And ask your care team which side effects require an urgent call and whom to contact outside regular office hours.

Preparing for Cancer Treatment
Part 2 · Plan your treatmentTopic 10 of 14

Exploring every appropriate option

Clinical Trials

Research is part of the cancer care landscape.

Clinical trials study new treatments, new combinations of existing treatments, or different ways of delivering care. Some trials may be available for people who have just been diagnosed, while others are designed for specific stages, cancer types, previous treatments, or biomarkers.

A clinical trial is not automatically the right choice for everyone. Eligibility can depend on factors such as:

Cancer type and stagePrevious treatmentBiomarkersAgeMedical historyCurrent health
If you are considering a trial, ask · 6
  1. What is the purpose of the study?
  2. What treatment or intervention is being studied?
  3. What are the potential benefits and risks?
  4. How is the trial different from standard treatment?
  5. What visits and tests would be required?
  6. What alternatives are available?
Explore Cancer Clinical Trials
Part 3 · Care for body, mind & lifeTopic 11 of 14

Supporting your body throughout treatment

Nutrition During Cancer

Food is an integral part of your care plan.

Cancer and its treatment can affect appetite, taste, digestion, energy, weight, and the body’s nutritional needs. Maintaining adequate nutrition can help support strength, energy, treatment tolerance, and recovery.

But there is no single “cancer diet.”

Your nutritional needs can depend on your cancer, treatment, symptoms, weight, and overall health.

You may need help with:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Taste or smell changes
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Mouth sores
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Unintended weight loss or gain

Ask your care team whether you should see an oncology dietitian or other qualified nutrition professional.

Be especially cautious about supplements, herbs, restrictive diets, or products marketed as cancer cures. Some may interfere with treatment.

Explore Nutrition During Cancer
Part 3 · Care for body, mind & lifeTopic 12 of 14

Caring for more than the physical

Emotional Wellbeing

Cancer affects more than the body.

A new diagnosis can change how you think about your health, your future, your relationships, work, and everyday life. People respond differently. You may feel anxious, angry, numb, focused, overwhelmed — or simply unsure what you feel.

There is no single “right” way to respond.

What matters is having support when you need it.

Support can include:

Talking with someone you trust

Family, friends, or someone who has been through cancer.

Professional support

A counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, or other qualified professional.

Peer support

Cancer support groups can provide a place to share experiences with people who understand what you are going through.

Practical support

Reducing everyday pressures can also make emotional challenges easier to manage.

If emotions, anxiety, sleep problems, or distress are making it difficult to manage daily life, tell your healthcare team. Support is part of cancer care.

Explore Emotional & Mental Health Resources
Part 3 · Care for body, mind & lifeTopic 13 of 14

Support beyond the patient

Caregiver Support

Cancer is a journey shared by more than one person.

Family members and friends may suddenly find themselves helping with appointments, medications, transportation, meals, household responsibilities, or emotional support.

Being a caregiver does not mean you have to do everything yourself.

A good support system starts with practical conversations.

Consider discussing · 7
  1. Who can accompany you to appointments?
  2. Who can help with transportation?
  3. Who can manage meals or household tasks?
  4. Who should receive medical updates?
  5. Who can help with children or other dependents?
  6. When does the primary caregiver need a break?
  7. What support is available from the healthcare team or community?

Caregivers also need support for their own physical and emotional wellbeing.

Explore Caregiver Resources
Part 3 · Care for body, mind & lifeTopic 14 of 14

Planning for life around treatment

Financial & Practical Support

Planning for cancer care means planning beyond the treatment room.

Cancer can affect work, income, insurance, transportation, housing, childcare, and everyday expenses. Some costs are obvious; others — such as travel, parking, meals, lodging, or time away from work — can add up during treatment.

Start by understanding:

What your insurance covers

Know your coverage, deductibles, copayments, exclusions, and authorization requirements.

What your treatment may cost

Ask your hospital or care team about expected out-of-pocket expenses.

What support may be available

Ask about financial assistance programs, transportation services, social workers, patient navigators, and community resources.

How treatment may affect work

Discuss leave, reduced hours, remote work, or workplace accommodations where appropriate.

You don’t need to solve every financial question immediately.

Start by identifying the costs you know about, the questions you need answered, and the people who can help you navigate them.

Explore Financial Support
Living With Cancer

A place to start

Your Newly Diagnosed Cancer Checklist

0of 17 done
Download the Newly Diagnosed Cancer Checklist

This information is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always talk with your care team about your diagnosis and treatment.

Research makes cures possible

Every new discovery has the potential to change what we know about cancer — how it begins, how it spreads, how it can be detected, and how it can be treated.

Your support helps fund scientists working across cancer types to turn promising discoveries into life-saving options for patients.

Prefer to speak with someone? Call us to donate — 1-800-321-CURE.

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