I don’t imagine there are many people out there whose lives haven’t been touched by cancer, and who haven’t faced questions about what to do. Whether it’s a friend, a loved one or yourself, it’s more than likely you’re part of the vast network of people who share this unfortunate bond.
With more than 100 different types of cancer, the range from not-really-something-to-worry- about to very-serious-indeed is enormous.
The word “cancer” has dark power, but with the progress that’s been made over the past decades, it’s worth taking a deep breath if you do hear it. The falling rate of cancer deaths has been all over the news lately and new treatments emerge frequently.
With a cancer diagnosis comes the challenge of finding your way through the forest of information. Making decisions is no easy task, especially with all the emotions that come along for the ride. Fortunately, there is sound advice out there about how to approach the choices you’ll be facing.
Here’s a cheat sheet for you, with links to reputable organizations that have more information:
- Make sure you understand your diagnosis. If you’re not clear about it, keep asking until you are. The best decisions are often the most informed ones.
- Find out how quickly decisions need to be made. You may have more time than you think to gather your thoughts and do the research. Even if the impetus is to “just get it out of me” – that may not be in your best interest. It’s up to you how much you want to know, according to guidelines of the Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-treatment/art-20047350) but if you want to understand your disease, it may take a while. Cancer isn’t simple.
- Look carefully at your medical team and the location of your treatment. It’s likely that whoever diagnosed you will offer treatment or referrals. You can go with them or choose to look elsewhere. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. Make sure that the physician is board certified and has plenty of experience with your particular type of cancer. Your main doctor may well be a medical oncologist, a surgical oncologist, or a radiation oncologist, depending on your diagnosis. It’s important that you feel you have a comfortable level of communication with them; this is a relationship that could go on through further diagnosis, treatment and follow up. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfortreatment/choosingyourtreatmentteam/choosing-a-doctor-and-a-hospital
- Doctors are affiliated with certain hospitals and can only send you where they have admitting privileges. You should check to make sure that the one they are talking about is one of the more than 1400 facilities accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. This accreditation will ensure that your hospital or center is monitored and offers high-quality care that meets established standards. It also means they’ll be able to coordinate among various specialists and others you may see. https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/cancer/accredited
- The National Cancer Institute has established three levels of cancer treatment centers among 50 cancer centers in the US. If you want to find one in your area, you can go to http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/extramural/cancercenters.
- If you live in a small town or rural area, think about going to a bigger city to get to a larger hospital. They’ll be able to offer a wider range of treatment and experience, especially if your cancer is not a common one.
- If that’s not possible, you can check to see if the facility is accredited by the Joint Commission, an independent, nonprofit organization that certifies more than 20,000 medical facilities. Go to their home page here: http://www.jointcommission.org.
- For pediatric centers, check to see that the facility is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group; there are more than 200 of them, linked to universities or children’s hospitals. http://www.childrensoncologygroup.org
- If you are interested in finding out about clinical trials, you can go to the list on the National Cancer Institute’s site, here: http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials.
- Before you make your choices, make sure that your insurer is on board. Gather all your questions and be ready to take notes and get a name when you call them.
You want to give yourself every advantage to have high-quality care that will take the whole “you” into consideration while you’re going through treatment. And, remember that you can change your mind, choose to let your doctor make the decisions for you or even choose not to have treatment. Be sure to communicate your preferences to your team and your loved ones. There are excellent doctors, effective treatments and lots of help out there – go get ’em.
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