cgraft,
I agree, any drug recommendation by a doctor should be researched before agreeing to take something. I've never seen any medication-prescription or OTC, that doesn't have a side effect, and unfortunately, some do have life threatening warnings.
Please keep in mind that regardless of how much research you do on each treatment plan that is available, there are many factors to take into consideration, such as stage of cancer, hormone status, and oncologist recommended treatment plan based on his or her professional experience. Our Oncologist was highly recommended by many of his peers.
I do not know your situation, but what I do know is that faced with stage IV cancer that is not curable, but treatable, your treatment options may be limited. My wife chose to take a drug that may or may not be harmful, but it was a better option that not taking anything at all.
Kris