Cancer treatment decisions: 5 steps to help you decide
- Step 1: Set your ground rules. Before exploring treatment options, establish some ground rules. ... Decide how much you...
- Step 2: Decide on a goal. Deciding what you want out of treatment can help you narrow your treatment choices. Are you...
- Step 3: Research your treatment options. To make a reasonable treatment...
Full Answer
How do I make cancer treatment decisions?
Many experts recommend having a written cancer treatment plan. A cancer treatment plan is kind of like a roadmap because it helps to lay out the expected path of treatment. It is a document that is created by the cancer care team and given to the patient and others that may need to know the planned course of care.
What do doctors think about when planning cancer treatment?
Jun 18, 2021 · Cancer treatment decisions: 5 steps to help you decide Step 1: Set your ground rules. Before exploring treatment options, establish some ground rules. ... Decide how much you... Step 2: Decide on a goal. Deciding what you want out of treatment can help you narrow your treatment choices. Are you... ...
What is a cancer treatment?
The types of treatment that you have will depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. You may also have immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy.
How do I decide to start therapy after a cancer diagnosis?
Decisions about cancer treatment are personal, and you need to feel comfortable with your choices. But many people do not know where to start. Here are some simple but important steps you can take as you start the decision-making process. Understand your diagnosis. Individual treatment plans depend on the type of cancer and stage. So you should learn as much as you …
What determines a cancer treatment program?
Who decides cancer treatment?
How are chemo treatments determined?
What factors determine the treatment plan an oncologist chooses for a particular patient?
Can cancer be treated without chemo?
What type of cancer does not require chemo?
How many rounds of chemotherapy can a person have?
Is 4 rounds of chemo a lot?
How long does a session of chemo take?
What is the hardest chemo regimen?
Is radiation or chemo better?
Why do chemotherapy patients lose their hair?
What is the goal of cancer treatment?
Depending on your cancer type and stage, your goals for treatment might be: Cure. When you're first diagnosed, it's likely you'll be interested in treatments that cure cancer. When a cure is possible, you may be willing to endure more short-term side effects in return for the chance at a cure .
How to make a reasonable treatment decision?
To make a reasonable treatment decision, keep in mind the type of cancer you have, its stage, what treatment options are available and how likely these treatments are to work under these circumstances. Talk to your doctor about trustworthy websites, books and patient education materials to supplement your discussions.
How to make sure you're getting the information you need to make an informed decision?
Effective communication with your doctor is the best way to make sure you're getting the information you need to make an informed decision. To make communicating with your doctor easier, try to: Speak up when you don't understand. If you need further explanation or clarification, tell your doctor.
What to do if you don't feel supported?
If you don't feel supported in your decision-making, contact advocacy groups such as the American Cancer Society, which can put you in touch with cancer survivors who may be able to help you through this process. It might help to write down your expectations and preferences before you meet with your doctor.
What kind of treatment is needed for cancer?
Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. You may also have immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy.
Can cancer patients have only one treatment?
Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. You may also have immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy. Clinical trials might also be an option for you.
Is it normal to be overwhelmed with cancer?
When you need treatment for cancer, you have a lot to learn and think about. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and confused. But, talking with your doctor and learning all you can about all your treatment options, including clinical trials, can help you make a decision you feel good about.
What are the treatments for cancer?
These options may include: Surgery. Radiation therapy. Chemotherapy. Hormone therapy. Targeted therapy. Immunotherapy. Active surveillance, also called watchful waiting.
What happens after cancer diagnosis?
After a cancer diagnosis, people with cancer and their families have to make a number of decisions about treatment. These decisions are complicated by feelings of anxiety, unfamiliar words, statistics, and a sense of urgency. But unless the situation is extremely urgent, take time to research your options, ask questions, ...
What are the benefits of cancer treatment?
Weigh the positives and negatives of each treatment option, including the: 1 Chance of a cure 2 Potential short- and long-term side effects 3 Likelihood that the cancer will come back after treatment 4 Chances of living longer with or without treatment 5 Effect on your quality of life and independence 6 Preferences of you and your family
What to talk about with a cancer patient?
Some people find it helpful to talk through their thoughts and concerns with people they trust. This may include: 1 Family members 2 Friends 3 A member of the clergy 4 A spiritual advisor 5 An oncology social worker 6 Another person with cancer
Can cancer cause long term side effects?
Sometimes cancer can cause long-term side effects, or late effects, that might develop months or even years after treatment. Talk with your health care team about the possible long-term effects of each treatment option and how they are managed. In addition, discuss possible sexual or reproductive concerns with your health care team, including the risk of not being unable to have children. You have more options to keep your fertility if you address this concern before treatment, instead of waiting until after treatment.
What is ASCO in cancer?
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and other cancer organizations publish guidelines and treatment decision-making tools. These tools help doctors and patients understand various treatment options. Learn more about treatment recommendations for the specific type of cancer that you have.
Can you get a second opinion from another oncologist?
Many people seek a second or even third opinion from another oncologist, and many doctors encourage it. Different oncologists may have different experiences with various treatments. So seeking multiple opinions can help you make a decision or confirm your current treatment plan. First check with your insurance company to find out if your policy covers a specific doctor or health care system.
What are some ways to help someone with cancer?
There are other options to help someone with cancer, too, These include: Palliative care: Palliative care can help any person with a serious illness, such as cancer. Its goal is to improve the quality of life by managing symptoms, side effects, and other problems.
What is the process of choosing the best treatment for your situation?
Choosing the best treatment for your situation is a decision that needs to be made after all information has been shared with you, and after you’ve had time to ask questions and have them answered. This process is called informed consent and allows people to play an active role in making decisions that affect their health.
What is clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests treatments on people. Sometimes these are new treatments that are being studied for the first time. Sometimes a clinical trial uses a treatment that’s already approved for a certain type of cancer and tests it on a different type of cancer.
What is informed consent?
This process is called informed consent and allows people to play an active role in making decisions that affect their health. Some types of cancer have a very limited number of treatment options, so making a decision about which is best might not be difficult.
What is shared decision making?
Shared decision-making is a process where decisions about your care are made with you, rather than someone making the decisions for you. Shared decision-making involves doctors and other members of the patient’s health care team working with you and your family or caregivers to make decisions together.
Why is shared decision making important?
But shared decision-making can help make sure you get the right tests and treatment, and that the right type of care is planned around them.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care: Palliative care can help any person with a serious illness, such as cancer. Its goal is to improve the quality of life by managing symptoms, side effects, and other problems. It can be offered at any time from the point of diagnosis, during treatment, and until the end of life.
What is cancer treatment?
Overview. Cancer treatment is the use of surgery, radiation, medications and other therapies to cure a cancer, shrink a cancer or stop the progression of a cancer. Many cancer treatments exist. Depending on your particular situation, you may receive one treatment or you may receive a combination of treatments.
How does immunotherapy help cancer?
Immunotherapy, also known as biological therapy, uses your body's immune system to fight cancer. Cancer can survive unchecked in your body because your immune system doesn't recognize it as an intruder. Immunotherapy can help your immune system "see" the cancer and attack it. Hormone therapy.
Can you live a normal life with cancer?
The goal of cancer treatment is to achieve a cure for your cancer, allowing you to live a normal life span. This may or may not be possible, depending on your specific situation. If a cure isn't possible , your treatments may be used to shrink your cancer or slow the growth of your cancer to allow you to live symptom free for as long as possible.
What is adjuvant therapy?
Adjuvant treatment. The goal of adjuvant therapy is to kill any cancer cells that may remain after primary treatment in order to reduce the chance that the cancer will recur. Any cancer treatment can be used as an adjuvant therapy. Common adjuvant therapies include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy.
What is the goal of surgery?
Surgery. The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer or as much of the cancer as possible. Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. Radiation treatment can come from a machine outside your body ...
What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. Radiation treatment can come from a machine outside your body (external beam radiation), or it can be placed inside your body (brachytherapy). Bone marrow transplant.
Where does radiation come from?
Radiation treatment can come from a machine outside your body (external beam radiation), or it can be placed inside your body (brachytherapy). Bone marrow transplant. Your bone marrow is the material inside your bones that makes blood cells from blood stem cells.
Can cancer patients have only one treatment?
Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. When you need treatment for cancer, you have a lot to learn and think about. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and confused.
How many treatments do you get for cancer?
The types of treatment that you receive will depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed with cancer?
When you need treatment for cancer, you have a lot to learn and think about. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and confused.
What is the procedure that removes cancer from the body?
Surgery. When used to treat cancer, surgery is a procedure in which a surgeon removes cancer from your body. Learn the different ways that surgery is used against cancer and what you can expect before, during, and after surgery.
What is immunotherapy for cancer?
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. This page covers the types of immunotherapy, how it is used against cancer, and what you can expect during treatment.
What is the treatment for breast cancer?
Hormone Therapy. Hormone therapy is a treatment that slows or stops the growth of breast and prostate cancers that use hormones to grow. Learn about the types of hormone therapy and side effects that may happen.
What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Learn about the types of radiation, why side effects happen, which ones you might have, and more.
Can cancer be controlled with medicine?
Many people are frightened at the idea of having cancer treatments, particularly because of the side effects. But these can usually be controlled with medicines. Treatment can be given for different reasons and the potential benefits will vary depending upon your individual situation.
Is there a right or wrong decision?
There is no right or wrong decision. People make different choices for different reasons. The most important thing to remember is that the decision you make is the right one for you at the time. No one can say exactly what will happen in the future. It is likely that there will always be some uncertainty.
What is the most important thing to remember?
The most important thing to remember is that the decision you make is the right one for you at the time. No one can say exactly what will happen in the future. It is likely that there will always be some uncertainty. You may find you change your mind over time.
Why do we need a short break?
You may find it helps to talk through your options with your family or friends. If you need to decide quickly, it may help to get a good night’s sleep and then make the decision the next day.
When Not Treating "Cancer" Is the Best Treatment Plan
For most people, hearing the word "cancer" is terrifying And now a recent research study indicates that the word may also influence whether people choose treatment. This is important because cancer treatment poses many risks for individuals, not the least of which are treatment-related side effects and long-term effects.
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