How to Follow the Latest Medical Research in Cancer

Following the latest medical research in cancer can require a lot of effort, since the scope of the research encompasses many different scientific approaches. Ask your doctor or oncologist to help you sort out the most meaningful resources.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Physician or oncologist
• Cancer journals and periodicals

1. Select a branch of cancer research to follow. In general, the study of cancer is divided into epidemiology (factors and causes), molecular bioscience and the effectiveness of clinical trials. In addition, the bulk of the medical research concerning cancer has shifted in recent years toward genetics and the immune system, so the most recent developments can be found in those fields.
2. Discuss the current medical research concerning cancer with your physician or oncologist. It is your doctor's job to follow and keep up with cutting-edge technologies used to treat and understand the disease, and you may receive a few tips as to the most pertinent medical publications. Your doctor can also recommend local clinical trial facilities, which may be an invaluable resource as well.
3. Log onto the website for the American Cancer Society for the latest in medical research, news and fundraising events (see Resources below). You can also use the website to volunteer for fundraising events in your community, or to ask specific questions about the latest in cancer research.
4. Attend local workshops that discuss the latest cancer research. These events are often sponsored by such organizations as the American Association of Cancer Research, and you can usually find a convenient workshop by logging onto the AACR website (see Resources below).
5. Check the latest oncology journals and periodicals in order to follow the latest in cancer research. These publications are the most up-to-date resources for the latest findings and discoveries. Ask your oncologist to recommend a journal that is best suited to your particular interests, or use online resources like CancerIndex to browse through these publications (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• When following the latest medical research in cancer, it is important to differentiate between "initial findings," and practical information that can presently help cancer sufferers and their families. It takes many years for study findings to be implemented into actual cancer treatments.