# Cancer just hit your family. Start here. Get the reports, ask about tumor testing, find a specialist, and put the next steps in one place. ![Article illustration](https://kevinwimer.com/media/849e5f56-87ab-4069-8d76-77c40a5661fb) Author: Kevin Wimer Canonical URL: https://kevinwimer.com/resources/a-place-to-begin/ Stable ID: d6751647-28f6-42b0-a0de-56b30c69790b Revision: b7bdaabb-820c-4810-b277-0930f36f8cca Published: 2026-10-22T23:48:14.969Z Updated: 2026-10-22T23:48:14.969Z Reviewed: 2026-10-22 ## Who this is for For patients and caregivers preparing questions with their cancer care team. I have stage 4 ALK-positive lung cancer. These are the things I wish every newly diagnosed family knew to ask about. You do not have to learn all of oncology this week. ## 1. Get the exact diagnosis and the reports Write down the cancer type, stage, known biomarkers, treatment so far and the next decision date. Get copies of the pathology, scan and molecular-testing reports. Keep the original files together. Ask the treating team: **“What needs to happen now, and what can wait while we get more information?”** [Use the records request checklist.](/resources/medical-records/) ## 2. Ask what tumor testing is missing “Has my tumor had the biomarker testing recommended for this cancer? Does the testing cover DNA, RNA or other markers we need? Would more testing change a treatment decision?” Tumor testing and inherited-risk testing answer different questions. A longer report is not automatically a better plan. Your cancer type, existing results, sample and timing matter. If another biopsy is planned, ask about the tissue **before** it happens. Pathology and the receiving lab need to agree on what to save and how. [Testing questions](/resources/tumor-testing/) · [Tissue checklist](/resources/preserve-tissue/) ## 3. Get a second opinion from someone who sees your subtype Your local oncologist can be excellent and another specialist can still add something. Ask about a consultation at a cancer center with experience in your exact disease. Bring the reports, your current plan and three questions. Ask whether local care can continue with the specialist advising. [Prepare for a second opinion.](/resources/get-a-second-opinion/) ## 4. Check trials early Start with the cancer type, the biomarker and where you can realistically travel. Then read eligibility, prior-treatment rules and the actual site’s recruiting status. A trial listing is a lead; the trial team decides whether you can enroll. ![ClinicalTrials.gov search example: condition non-small cell lung cancer, other terms ALK, location your city within 100 miles or anywhere you can travel; recruiting and phase filters. Read eligibility first.](/media/ad8c45df-78b7-48de-94d5-1472592a07c3) Example only. Replace lung cancer, ALK and the location with your situation. Phase filters can narrow a search; they are not a ranking of which treatment is best. [Build a useful trial shortlist.](/resources/clinical-trials/) ## 5. Get help carrying the load [FCCT](/companies/fcct/) offers free research support. Disease-specific patient groups can point you toward specialists, practical experience and questions you did not know to ask. Pick one person to track calls, records and open questions. Do not make every family member rebuild the same spreadsheet. [Find patient groups and support.](/resources/find-support/) ## What about the vaccine I’m working on? It is an experimental project for my cancer, not the first step for a newly diagnosed family. Start with the diagnosis, standard treatment options, testing and specialist input. [Here is what personalized cancer vaccines involve.](/resources/cancer-vaccines/) ## Limits and context Adapted from my unpublished family guide and checked against the linked public sources. General questions, not a treatment plan; urgency and testing needs differ by cancer. ## Relationships and disclosures No paid placement. I have no investment, advisory role, paid partnership or other financial relationship with the twelve companies in this initial directory. ## Sources - [Biomarker testing for cancer treatment](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/biomarker-testing-cancer-treatment) — National Cancer Institute; official; checked 2026-10-22; Testing types, treatment relevance, limitations, coverage and repeat testing. - [Finding cancer care and second opinions](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/managing-care/finding-cancer-care) — National Cancer Institute; official; checked 2026-10-22 - [Steps to find a clinical trial](https://www.cancer.gov/research/participate/clinical-trials-search/steps) — National Cancer Institute; official; checked 2026-10-22; Search, eligibility, site contacts and shared decisions with the care team. - [FCCT research support and practical playbooks](https://sijbrandijfoundation.org/fcct) — Sijbrandij Foundation; official; checked 2026-10-22 - [My personalized cancer vaccine project](https://x.com/kevinace/status/2110478875692302392) — Kevin Wimer on X; experience; checked 2026-10-22; Personal experience, read in Kevin’s supplied X export. Not independent clinical evidence. Topics: getting-started Capabilities: Related record IDs: f7221927-6b87-4be3-9a7c-906768a192a5, af18cbc9-1c7f-4799-a763-3f53ba52b1fd, 892119f9-0439-4e43-b467-66c99bc7be7c, bcbf518f-872e-434c-b031-3d6c266ceaa4, 37f8559b-848c-41bc-9591-06013c785a00, 656030c7-047a-40e9-b47b-14b19f3fd2bd, 0c5f1f8b-4545-4ee0-9c05-ce1d7fb984d7 Related X discussion: https://x.com/kevinace/status/2110478875692302392 Follow Kevin on X: https://x.com/kevinace Educational information, not an individualized treatment recommendation.