What to Do After a Cancer Diagnosis: First Steps for Families
3 sections · Expert-curated · Free
Do Not Rush Into Treatment
Get a second opinion — this is standard ...
Research your specific diagnosis from tr...
Ask about clinical trials
You have the right to take days or weeks...
Get Organized
Gather all records, imaging, and test re...
Call insurance to understand what treatm...
Learn your out-of-pocket maximum
Verify your oncologist and treatment cen...
Rally Your Team
Assign family roles: who drives to appoi...
Set up a meal coordination link so frien...
Designate one person to communicate upda...
Consider a patient advocate or social wo...
Track your progress — assign tasks, check things off, share with family
Get my planDo Not Rush Into Treatment
Most cancers are not emergency situations. You have time to make informed decisions.
Get a second opinion — this is standard practice and covered by most insurance
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Research your specific diagnosis from trusted sources (NCI, major cancer centers)
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Ask about clinical trials
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
You have the right to take days or weeks before starting treatment
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Get Organized
Organization reduces overwhelm.
Gather all records, imaging, and test results into one place
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Call insurance to understand what treatments are covered
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Learn your out-of-pocket maximum
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Verify your oncologist and treatment center are in-network
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Rally Your Team
You cannot do this alone.
Assign family roles: who drives to appointments, who manages meals, who coordinates updates
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Set up a meal coordination link so friends can help
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Designate one person to communicate updates to extended family
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Consider a patient advocate or social worker at the treatment center
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get a second opinion for cancer?
Absolutely. A second opinion is standard medical practice, covered by most insurance, and encouraged by good oncologists. Academic medical centers and NCI-designated cancer centers often provide the most comprehensive second opinions.
How do I tell my kids about a cancer diagnosis?
Be honest and age-appropriate. Children sense when something is wrong. Use simple, clear language, let them ask questions, and reassure them that they are loved and that adults are handling it.
You don’t have to figure this out alone
Get a personalized, interactive checklist that tracks your progress and lets you assign tasks to family members. Free to start.
Start your personalized plan