ECOG performance status
Say it: EE-cog
A simple 0-to-5 scale doctors use to describe how well you can handle everyday activities.
ECOG performance status is a quick, standard way for your doctor to note how you’re doing day to day. It runs from 0, meaning you’re fully active as usual, up through numbers that reflect needing more rest or help, to 5. Most people considering a trial are at the lower, more active end of the scale.
Trials often list an ECOG score in their eligibility criteria — not to judge you, but to check that a study is a safe fit for where your health is right now. A score is a snapshot, and it can change over time. If you’re unsure what yours is, your care team can tell you.
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