Your doctor should tell you the kind of cancer you have, your prognosis and what you can expect from treatment. Your doctor should describe options for treatment and clearly set forth a treatment plan for you.
Understanding what cancer is and how your type of cancer can be treated will help you communicate with your health care providers and make decisions with confidence. Reliable information on cancer, its treatment and local supportive and treatment programs is available at no cost.
Cancer-related treatment usually consists of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of these therapies. Newer, more targeted treatments for some diseases may have fewer side effects. Other new and emerging treatments – including hormones; biologics (cellular, protein and enzyme levels); immunosuppressors and others – are being researched in the laboratory and within clinical trials.
Listen to the Cancer Survival Toolbox®
Survivor Stories: Gathering Information
Hear Joan, an Oncology nurse and cancer survivor, explain the best tactics for developing knowledge and understanding the information you are taking in.
Survivor Stories: Getting a Second Opinion
Hear Felicia explain how asking for help and getting a second opinion can lead to being your own best advocate.
Survivor Stories: Treatment Decisions
Listen to Jim talk through making a decision about his treatment with his wife.
Negotiating Steps
Hear Joan, and Oncology Nurse, walk through the steps of negotiation.
Survivor Stories: Advocacy Skills
Hear survivors set goals and find ways to communicate their wants effectively. Learn the importance of asking for what you need and making deliberate plans to achieve your goals.
Survivor Stories: Problem Solving
Listen to Isabelle talk through the issues she was having with multiple medications. Hear her explain the importance of being honest and working with a nurse practitioner to find the right solution.
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Be sure that you understand all of your treatment options before starting any therapy. In most cases treatment doesn’t have to start immediately after diagnosis. Don’t rush to a decision, or let anyone else rush you. Your first treatment usually offers the best chance for cure, so it is important to know all of your options and the possible benefits and risks before that first treatment.
The National Cancer Institute, with input from patient advocates, lists the following questions for consideration before beginning treatment:
- Is there any evidence the cancer has spread? What is the stage of the disease?
- What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
- What new treatments are being studied? Would a clinical trial be appropriate for me?
- What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
- What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
- Is infertility a side effect of cancer treatment? Can anything be done about it?
- What can I do to prepare for treatment?
- How often will I have treatments?
- How long will treatment last?
- Will I have to change my normal activities? If so, for how long?
- What is the treatment likely to cost?
Survivor Stories
Connect® Education Workshops
Leading experts in oncology provide up-to-date information in one-hour workshops over the telephone or online.
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Build lists of practical questions used to guide conversations between you and your doctors and nurses.
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