10 Minutes On XpertPatient Can Change Your Life
Welcome. A cancer diagnosis means that tests have shown abnormal cells have started to grow and spread in the body. The common cancers in the US are lung cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer but all cancer diagnosis are overwhelming.
XpertPatient is an award-winning site offering easy-to-understand resources not available anywhere else. Our personalized experience will show you what you have & explains what to expect. A unique treatment comparison tool (community favorite) provides a side-by-side comparison of FDA-approved treatments by cancer stage & type to help find the best option for you given your life goals.
- Less treatment side effects
- Help paying for treatment & care
- Less anxiety for you & your family
- Better treatment results for you
Award-Winning Featured Video:
The Most Beautiful Sound
Just Diagnosed with Breast Cancer? XpertPatient Loriana Hernandez, award-winning journalist and 2x cancer survivors share how to be your own hero. You've got this.
What Is An NCI Designation?
Just Diagnosed with Breast Cancer? XpertPatient Loriana Hernandez, award-winning journalist and 2x cancer survivors share how to be your own hero. You've got this.
The Most Beautiful Sound
For the first time ever, listen to the sound of real cancer cells dying
What Is An NCI Designation?
Learn About The Benefits
The Most Beautiful Sound
What Is An NCI Designation?
The Most Beautiful Sound
What Is An NCI Designation?
Must See Resources
See Top Cancer Hospitals
Find a top cancer hospital near you for the best care possible
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Understanding Your Diagnosis
Understanding your cancer diagnosis let’s you make health decisions that are right for you.
Start Here“I Wish I Knew” From Patients & Caregivers
Debra Bowler, Mom, Thriver. Stage 3 Lung Cancer: “XpertPatient takes that fear of the unknown away and explains things in simple language, exactly what you have, your treatment options, and what you can expect.”
Deb Bowler, Mom, Thriver, Stage 3 Lung Cancer Diagnosis.
Get Started Now“There is a lot of information out there. And not all of it is great. For stressed caregivers, it’s really hard.
But out of all of the sites I looked at, XpertPatient.com is the only site that really gave me hope”
"Out of all of the sites I looked at, XpertPatient.com is the only site that really gave me hope"
Get Started NowMyrna P. Mom, Grandma. Stage 2 Breast Cancer. “Thank you XpertPatient. XpertPatient was extremely helpful when trying to understand my diagnosis, the various test result reports. Also, preparing my treatment option questions for my oncologist and breast surgeon.”
Thank You XpertPatient. Very Helpful.
Get Started NowMost Viewed Pages
What Is Cancer
Cancer is a disease where abnormal cells in the body grow out of control and can spread to other parts of the body. It can start in almost any organ or tissue, including the lungs, breast, colon, skin, or blood.Normally, the body creates new cells only when needed. Old or damaged cells die, and new ones take their place. But with cancer, this natural process breaks down. Damaged cells keep growing and multiplying when they shouldn’t, which can lead to the formation of a tumor.
There are two main types of tumors:
• Benign tumors (not cancer) don’t spread to other areas.
• Malignant tumors (cancer) can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. This spreading process is called metastasis.
Not all cancers form solid tumors. For example, leukemia, a cancer of the blood, usually doesn’t.
Cancer Treatment
Cancer Treatment: Latest Options Explained
Cancer treatment has come a long way. Today, there are more advanced and personalized options than ever before. Here’s a simple guide to the latest cancer treatments and what they do:
1. Surgery
What it does: Removes cancer from the body. Often used when cancer is found early and hasn’t spread.
2. Radiation Therapy
What it does: Uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. It can be used before or after surgery or as a main treatment.
3. Chemotherapy
What it does: Uses powerful drugs to kill fast-growing cancer cells. Often given in cycles and sometimes combined with other treatments.
Chemotherapy vs Radiation:
What’s the Difference?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, you may be wondering: What’s the difference between chemotherapy and radiation therapy? Both are common cancer treatments, but they work in different ways and have different goals, side effects, and benefits.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, you may be wondering: What’s the difference between chemotherapy and radiation therapy? Both are common cancer treatments, but they work in different ways and have different goals, side effects, and benefits.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy (or chemo) is a drug treatment that uses powerful medicines to kill cancer cells throughout the entire body. It’s often used to treat cancers that have spread or to reduce the risk of recurrence after surgery.
- How it works: Chemo travels through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells anywhere in the body.
- Common side effects: Fatigue, nausea, hair loss, low blood counts.
- Best for: Widespread cancer or cancer that may come back.
What Is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (like X-rays) to target and destroy cancer cells in a specific part of the body. It’s often used when the cancer is localized.
- How it works: Delivers focused beams to shrink or eliminate tumors.
- Common side effects: Skin irritation, fatigue, and localized discomfort.
- Best for: Cancer that is confined to one area, like breast, prostate, or brain cancer.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, you may be wondering: What’s the difference between chemotherapy and radiation therapy? Both are common cancer treatments, but they work in different ways and have different goals, side effects, and benefits.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy (or chemo) is a drug treatment that uses powerful medicines to kill cancer cells throughout the entire body. It’s often used to treat cancers that have spread or to reduce the risk of recurrence after surgery.
- How it works: Chemo travels through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells anywhere in the body.
- Common side effects: Fatigue, nausea, hair loss, low blood counts.
- Best for: Widespread cancer or cancer that may come back.
What Is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (like X-rays) to target and destroy cancer cells in a specific part of the body. It’s often used when the cancer is localized.
- How it works: Delivers focused beams to shrink or eliminate tumors.
- Common side effects: Skin irritation, fatigue, and localized discomfort.
- Best for: Cancer that is confined to one area, like breast, prostate, or brain cancer.
4. Immunotherapy Boosts the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer. Some treatments use lab-made proteins or checkpoint inhibitors to help your immune system work better.
5. Targeted Therapy What it does: Uses drugs that target specific genes or proteins found in cancer cells—leaving healthy cells mostly untouched. Often based on biomarker testing.
6. Hormone Therapy What it does: Blocks or lowers hormones that certain cancers (like breast or prostate) need to grow.
7. CAR T-Cell Therapy What it does: A cutting-edge treatment where your immune cells are modified in a lab to fight cancer. Mostly used for blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.
8. Clinical Trials What they offer: Access to the newest treatments being tested—often available when standard options no longer work.
9. Integrative Care What it includes: Supportive therapies like nutrition, exercise, mental health care, and pain management used alongside medical treatment.
✅ Choosing the Right Cancer Treatment Your treatment plan depends on your type of cancer, stage, health, and personal goals. Always talk to your oncologist about all options—including new or targeted therapies.
Cancer Survival Rate 
66%
Hear From the Experts
Carolyn Ricci
Executive Director
Global Cancer Institute“XpertPatient is a critical resource delivering unbiased treatment information and discussion guides patients can use to have better conversations with their care providers; a critical step to achieving the best possible outcomes”.
Dr. Lenora Valdez
Medical Oncologist
National Institute of Oncology Jalisco“XpertPatient centralizes many high-quality and reputable information tools & resources. Making decisions about care can be overwhelming. XpertPatient simplifies things with a great visual layout for patients and their caregivers.”
Shari Rosenberg, CN-BA
Oncology Patient Services Manager
St. John’s Riverside Hospital“The “Compare My Treatment Options” tool is a wonderful resource for patients to better understand their options & have more informed discussions with their physicians.”
Lisa Richardson, MD, MPH
Director
CDC Divison of Cancer Prevention and Control (CDPC)Did You Know? “Research reveals that people who take an active role in their health have a greater feeling of control…and experience better health outcomes.”
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