Essential Actions to Take: A Guide for Self-Care When Facing a Cancer Diagnosis
Taking Control of Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients
Navigating a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but understanding the steps to take can help patients feel more in control. Here's a guide to the essential actions cancer patients should consider after receiving a diagnosis.
1. Seek a Second Opinion Patients have the right to verify their diagnosis and treatment options by seeking a second opinion. Consulting another healthcare specialist can provide peace of mind and ensure that the diagnosis and treatment plan are accurate and appropriate.
2. Understand Your Treatment Options Once the diagnosis is confirmed, it's crucial to learn about all available treatment options for your specific cancer type. Discuss details with your cancer care team, ask questions, and understand the potential risks, benefits, costs, and timeframe to start treatment. Shared decision-making between patients, their families, and healthcare providers is encouraged to ensure that the selected treatment aligns with patient preferences and medical advice.
3. Consider Clinical Trials If appropriate, patients might explore clinical trials relevant to their cancer type and situation. Gathering detailed information about their cancer and eligibility criteria, searching clinical trial registries, and reviewing trial protocols with their care team can open up new treatment possibilities.
4. Make Lifestyle Changes Improving diet, increasing physical activity as tolerated, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption are often recommended to support treatment and overall health during and after cancer therapy. Discuss specific lifestyle recommendations with your care team to tailor them to your individual needs.
5. Build a Support Team Assembling a support system including oncologists, nurses, social workers, family, friends, and possibly counselors or support groups can provide emotional support, practical help, and assist with decision-making.
6. Organize Finances Cancer treatment can be costly, so it's essential to evaluate your insurance coverage, understand treatment costs, seek financial counseling if available, and explore patient assistance programs or resources offered by cancer organizations to manage expenses.
7. Prepare for the Journey Planning ahead by preparing wills or power of attorney documents can provide peace of mind for cancer patients and their families. Rest is crucial, especially on treatment days, and it is important to prioritize getting good rest. Joining a support group for cancer patients may bring comfort, and seeking the advice of mental health professionals can help manage complex and overwhelming thoughts during cancer treatment.
Taken together, these key steps enable cancer patients to be informed, supported, and prepared to actively participate in their care planning and treatment journey. By following this guide, patients can empower themselves and take control during a challenging time.
[1] National Cancer Institute. (2021). What You Need To Know About Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer
[2] American Cancer Society. (2021). How to Get a Second Opinion About Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/finding-and-paying-for-treatment/finding-and-paying-for-treatment-tools/second-opinions/second-opinion-about-cancer.html
[3] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Clinical Trials for Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/research/clinical-trials-what-are-they
- In addition to medical treatments, health-and-wellness practices, such as proper nutrition, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health management, play a significant role in maintaining life quality during cancer treatment and recovery.
- Living a balanced life entails taking care of not only your physical health but also your personal-finance situation, ensuring that cancer treatment costs are managed effectively.
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