Steve,

I see you've asked the vital questions.  I hope you add those
last two to your spreadsheet so you can correlate political views
with treatment outcomes.  However you may also need to find
the political views of the treating doctors - which might turn out
to be even more important. :)

To Yet another recently diagnosed soul,

I know you are in shock right now, but as JK says in his posting
below, you have not necessarily been handed a death sentence.

If your cancer has been caught in time, there is a very good
chance of a complete cure.  If it has not been caught in time,
a complete cure is not possible yet, but even untreated, you are
likely to live for years.  There are treatments available right now
that can add more years to your life, and treatments that will
become available during those years that are likely to add
still more years.  I don't know your current age or condition, but
you have good chances to live on into old age.

Keep your spirits up.  Learn about the disease so that you
can fight it more effectively.  Resolve to live your life to the
fullest and not allow this misfortune to drive you into despair.

    Alan