Common Cancer Questions Answered

In NCCN Cancer Answers, doctors from the NCCN Member Institutions address questions they often hear from patients (below). Check back monthly on NCCN.com's homepage for new questions and answers, and see our Video Center for live discussions of pertinent cancer topics from experts involved in many different fields of cancer care.

What is translational research and why is it important?

What is tumor genotyping, and how has it changed the concept of cancer and its treatment?

What is the role of aromatase inhibitors for women with breast cancer?

What is triple-negative breast cancer?

How common are hereditary cancers? 

Are there risk factors for ovarian cancer that women should be concerned about?

Ovarian cancer has been called a “silent killer". Why is it still so hard to detect?

How are advances in gynecologic surgery benefitting women?

I’ve just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, what do I do next?

I’ve heard about robotic surgery for prostate cancer – but is it something I should consider?

What causes skin cancer?

How can I tell if I have melanoma?

What signs might lead a child’s pediatrician to suspect cancer?

Does stress cause cancer?

When should people talk to their doctor about pain? What kinds of treatments are available?

What is "chemobrain"? 

What should patients who are entering the survival phase of treatment do to ensure they get the type of care they need?

How do most people cope after the removal of a lung, or part of a lung?