Much current research focuses on personalized vaccines. With better gene sequencing technology, it’s now becoming easier to identify unique mutations in a person’s cancer and create a vaccine to target them, Veatch says. These methods are being studied for melanoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, etc.

If you have cancer, you may want to try to access an experimental vaccine by participating in a clinical trial. HAS clinical trials.govYou can search for treatments studied for your type of cancer. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, still call the number listed for the trial, Slingluff advises. Even if you don’t qualify, researchers may be able to direct you to a suitable trial or arrange another one soon.