Many people with cancer want to take
an active part in making decisions about their medical care. It is natural to want to learn all you can about your
disease and treatment options. However, shock and stress after the diagnosis
can make it difficult to think of everything that you want to ask the doctor.
Often helps to create a list of questions before an appointment.
To help remember what the doctor says, you may take notes or ask whether you can use a tape recorder. Some people also like having a family member or friend with them when they talk to the doctor - to take part in discussions, notes, or just to listen.
You do not need to ask all your questions at once. You will have another chance to ask your doctor or nurse to explain things that are not clear and to ask for more information.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, or you can ask for a referral. Specialists who treat cancer include surgeons, medical oncologists, hematologists, and radiation oncologists.
Get a Second Opinion
Before starting treatment, you may want a second opinion about diagnosis and
treatment plan. Many insurance companies will cover a second opinion if your
doctor requests it. It may take time and effort to gather medical records and
arrange to see another doctor. Usually not a problem to take several weeks to
get a second opinion. In most cases, delay in starting treatment will not make
treatment less effective. But some people with cancer need treatment right
away. To be sure, you should discuss this delay with your doctor.
Method of Treatment
Plan of treatment mainly depends on the type of cancer and stage of disease.
Doctors also consider the patient's age and general health. Often, the goal of treatment is to cure cancer. In other cases, the goal is to control the disease or to relieve symptoms for as long as possible. Treatment plan may change from time to time.
Doctors also consider the patient's age and general health. Often, the goal of treatment is to cure cancer. In other cases, the goal is to control the disease or to relieve symptoms for as long as possible. Treatment plan may change from time to time.
Most treatment plans include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. Some involve hormone therapy or biological therapy. In addition, a stem cell transplant may be used so that patients can receive very high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Some cancers respond best to a single type of treatment. Other people may respond best to combination treatment.
Treatment can work in a specific area (local therapy) or the whole body (systemic therapy):
• Local treatment to remove or destroy cancer in one part of the body. Surgery
to remove the tumor is local therapy. Radiation to shrink or destroy tumors
also is usually local therapy.
• Systemic therapy sends drugs or substances through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells throughout the body. Kill or slow the growth of cancer cells that may have spread beyond the original tumor. Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and biological therapy are usually systemic therapy.
Your doctor can describe your treatment choices and the expected results. You and your doctor can work together to decide the best treatment plan for you.
Because cancer treatments often damage healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Side effects depend mainly on the type and extent of treatment. Side effects may not be the same for everyone, and they can change from one treatment session to the next.
Before treatment starts, the health care team will explain possible side effects and suggest ways to help you manage them. This team may include nurses, a dietitian, physical therapist, and others. NCI provides booklets about cancer treatment and cope with side effects. These include Radiation Therapy and You, Chemotherapy and You, Biological Therapy, and Eating Tips. At each stage of cancer, supportive care is available to alleviate the side effects of therapy, to control pain and other symptoms, and ease emotional and practical issues.
