Discontinuing therapy does not mean that we have ‘given up hope’. Many patients do very well after treatment is discontinued because they can use all their energy doing those things that help them feel happy and fulfilled. Your Minnesota Oncology physician and Care Team will do everything possible to make sure you live as long and as well as possible.
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What should I do if my oncologist suggests new treatments?
Your oncologist might suggest new treatments, such as trying different combinations of chemotherapy drugs that include experimental options. Still, you and your oncologist must consider whether more treatment will improve your health, or whether it’s best to stop treatment altogether and pursue palliative care.
What happens when you stop treatment for cancer?
For instance, after you stop treatment, a new drug may come to the market, a clinical trial could open, or you may hear of a doctor who has a new way of treating the cancer you have. If so, you can always decide to start treatment again.
What questions should I ask my doctor before stopping cancer treatment?
“First and foremost, if a patient is considering stopping their cancer treatment, they need to have a discussion with their primary oncologist,” Bialer says. Some questions you can ask your doctor are: How is my cancer responding (or not responding) to my current treatment? What’s the outlook for my health if I go ahead with treatment?
Is it normal to have concerns after completing treatment for cancer?
It is normal to have many concerns after completing treatment for cancer and important to feel supported and accompanied in this journey. Q: How does cancer affect a person’s family, friends, and caregivers?
What happens if I stop my cancer treatment?
For instance, after you stop treatment, a new drug may come to the market, a clinical trial could open, or you may hear of a doctor who has a new way of treating the cancer you have. If so, you can always decide to start treatment again.
Can I switch oncologists?
The simple answer is that you have the right to change oncologists any time you want. An even more reasonable answer is that you should consider a change if and when you're uncomfortable with an important aspect of your care, and you can't resolve that concern with your current oncologist.
Is it harmful to take a break from chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy breaks This may be called a chemotherapy break. This doesn't matter too much. It shouldn't make the treatment any less effective. But if it happens too often or if the chemotherapy is affecting your kidneys (for example), you may need to have lower doses of the drugs.
How often should you see your oncologist after treatment?
In general, people return to the doctor for follow-up appointments every 3 to 4 months during the first 2 to 3 years after treatment, and once or twice a year after that. At these visits, you may have a physical exam along with blood tests and other necessary tests and procedures.
Do I need an oncologist?
You will likely be referred to an oncologist if your doctor suspects that you have the disease. Your primary care physician may carry out tests to determine if you might have cancer. If there are any signs of cancer, your doctor may recommend visiting an oncologist as soon as possible.
Why would Dr stop chemo?
If you've undergone three or more chemotherapy treatments for your cancer and the tumors continue to grow or spread, it may be time for you to consider stopping chemotherapy.
Which is harder on the body chemo or radiation?
Since radiation therapy is focused on one area of your body, you may experience fewer side effects than with chemotherapy. However, it may still affect healthy cells in your body.
When is chemo not an option?
Your oncologist may recommend avoiding chemotherapy if your body is not healthy enough to withstand chemotherapy or if there is a more effective treatment available.
What happens if you stop radiation treatments early?
Missed Radiation Therapy Sessions Increase Risk of Cancer Recurrence. Patients who miss radiation therapy sessions during cancer treatment have an increased risk of their disease returning, even if they eventually complete their course of radiation treatment, according to a new study.
What is the life expectancy after chemotherapy?
During the 3 decades, the proportion of survivors treated with chemotherapy alone increased from 18% in 1970-1979 to 54% in 1990-1999, and the life expectancy gap in this chemotherapy-alone group decreased from 11.0 years (95% UI, 9.0-13.1 years) to 6.0 years (95% UI, 4.5-7.6 years).
How long does it take for a tumor to shrink after radiation?
At the same time, if a cell doesn't divide, it also cannot grow and spread. For tumors that divide slowly, the mass may shrink over a long, extended period after radiation stops. The median time for a prostate cancer to shrink is about 18 months (some quicker, some slower).
What should I ask my oncologist after treatment?
Questions to Ask Your Doctor When You Have Finished TreatmentHow long will it take for me to get better and feel more like myself?What kind of care should I expect after my treatment?What long-term health issues can I expect as a result of my cancer and its treatment?What is the chance that my cancer will return?More items...•
Can you change your oncologist UK?
Talk to your specialist doctor or GP Your relatives can also ask for a second opinion, but you need to give consent for them to do this. Having a second opinion doesn't mean that the second doctor will take over your care. If you decide you want the new doctor to treat you, they have to agree.
How do I choose an oncologist?
To find an oncologist, start by asking your primary care physician or family doctor. You can also call your health insurance company or nearby hospitals. Sometimes, patient advocacy groups are a source for specialists in a specific field.
Are oncologists happy?
Working as an oncologist often entails frustration and challenges. Compared with other specialists, oncologists are about in the middle of the pack. Only 29% of oncologists in Medscape's survey responded that they were very or extremely happy.
What can I expect from an oncologist?
At the first appointment, the oncologist will talk about treatment options. The doctor will explain which ones are available, how effective they are and what the side effects may be. Then the oncologist will recommend a course and talk about when the treatments should take place.
What happens after cancer treatment?
A: We hear from many patients that the time after completing active cancer treatment is a time when they feel ‘unsettled’ and worry about an uncertain future. Some may even feel anxious about the possibility that the cancer could return and worry they may not be doing enough to catch any signs early enough. It is also important to note that many patients still have unpleasant symptoms related to their treatment for months or even years after treatment ends. Unfortunately, it is common for patients to experience fatigue, difficulty sleeping, problems with memory, persistent pain or tingling from neuropathy, and emotional distress.
How to deal with cancer fears?
Information and education are essential to regain some control. Sharing one’s fears and worries with loved ones, a support group, or seeking professional help can and will bring relief. It is normal to have many concerns after completing treatment for cancer and important to feel supported and accompanied in this journey.
Why do people have poor body image?
Some patients may also suffer from poor body image or low self-esteem because of the treatment they received and changes it caused. They often need help to learn to accept their new body.
Does cancer affect the family?
A: Cancer affects not just the individual who received the diagnosis, but the entire family unit . Caregivers and well-wishers help support a patient during cancer treatment, and their love, support, and worry will continue after treatment as well. This means they may also need their own emotional support during this time.
Do cancer survivors want to give back?
Many cancer survivors want to give back, and you will find them volunteering or acting as advocates at cancer clinics and philanthropic organizations. It's also important to recognize that many cancer survivors face an uncertain future and feel unsettled.
How did Amanda Evans Clark die?
He died of advanced colon cancer at 31, after a year of chemotherapy and last-ditch major abdominal surgery.
How many cancer patients died between 2007 and 2014?
The new study is an analysis of health claims data involving more than 28,000 cancer patients who died between 2007 and 2014.
Who is Amanda Evans Clark's husband?
Amanda Evans-Clark reads a book with her daughter, Mira, 2, in Carmel, Ind. The book features voice recordings from her husband, Joe Clark. He died of advanced colon cancer at 31, after a year of chemotherapy and last-ditch major abdominal surgery. The decision to end treatment had a surprise effect on Clark and his wife.
Did Nikki Stienman's mother stop chemo?
Her mother stopped chemo after her doctor assured her that ending treatment didn't mean giving up. But her sister, Nikki Stienman, kept up the treatment and suffered severe side effects from what her sister thinks was a needless final round of chemotherapy before she died at 38 of metastatic lung cancer in 2013.
Who is Dr. Andrew Epstein?
National Security CIA reviewing how it handled officers' reports of Havana Syndrome symptoms. Dr. Andrew Epstein, a palliative care expert with the oncology society , said the new research, which echoes studies in older cancer patients, is important because less is known about end-of life care for younger patients.
Who was the widow of Dr. Clark?
Michael Conroy / Associated Press. "It was a whole new way of thinking to wrap our minds around," his widow, Amanda Evans-Clark recalled. No more "fight mode," she said.
Who is the lead author of the study on hospice?
The study was presented Monday in Chicago at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting. Dr. Ronald Chen, the study's lead author and a cancer specialist at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, said the decision is still a struggle, even when he knows hospice might be the right choice.
What is the best treatment for breast cancer?
After you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, your oncologist may recommend many different treatments. Chemotherapy is among the treatment options available. For some, chemotherapy treatments may not kill the cancer cells, or the cells may return after a remission.
What to do after chemo?
Life after chemotherapy stops. Discuss any physical symptoms that you’re having as well as any emotions that are troubling you. Your oncologist might suggest you speak with a social worker or attend a support group with other people who are facing similar decisions. Remember, you are not alone in this.
Is radiation part of palliative care?
Medications and other treatments, such as radiation, are part of palliative care. You and your caregivers should talk with your oncologist about your needs in the upcoming months. You may decide to have a nurse come to your home for weekly care visits.
What happens if you don't get radiation?
But you need to be informed about what may happen if you don't. There is a reason why radiation is part of the regimen for treating breast cancer. Your chances of recurrence may increase if you decide to skip it.
What would happen if doctors knew nutrition?
If doctors knew anything at all about nutrition, they might be able to help their patients avoid such conditions but they don't and patients suffer needlessly. IF you do eventually decide to accept radiation, be aware of the possible consequences. Do what it takes to avoid or minimize those consequences.
Is radiation better than chemo?
Radiation as a general rule, is easier than chemo. It has it's own set of side effects and problems, but as penny said, it's part of the regimen for a reason. 27 years ago I had both and the radiation was stopped short of the total number of treatments first suggested. My cancer came back in about 6 months.
Do you have to have medical treatment if you don't want to?
You don't have to have any medical treatment you don't want. It may better your odds of not having a recurrance. You should discuss this with your doctor to make sure you are making an informed decision. You don't HAVE to do anything in regards to medical treatment.
Stopping maintenance chemotherapy
I am 56 years old, and was diagnosed with stage 4 nsclc last year. I have been receiving chemotherapy treatment since January with chronic side effects. I changed to maintainence chemo in August which contains less of the chemotherapy drugs.
Stopping maintenance chemotherapy
Thanks for your reply and kind words. I am very lucky to have an extremely supportive partner, family and friends. We have been discussing the possibility of ceasing the chemotherapy for a few weeks now.
Stopping maintenance chemotherapy
I am glad to hear that you have an extremely supportive network behind you and one that will support you whatever you decide.
Stopping maintenance chemotherapy
Update on my decision. I spoke with all my family at length about this. Everyone of them agreed that I should stop the chemotherapy. Although they obviously don't want me to die anytime soon, they don't want to see me constantly suffering from the side effects of the chemo.
Stopping maintenance chemotherapy
Many thanks for your update. I am delighted to hear that you have finally reached a decision about chemo. It is really helpful that you have the full support from all of your family to stop if you want to. It sounds as if your oncologist is also happy with your choice and, it is good that he is still getting his team to monitor you.
Stopping maintenance chemotherapy
Thanks for your reply. Glad to hear you're enjoying life after 2 years of treatment, must be wonderful for you! Keep on smiling and savour every day!
Stopping maintenance chemotherapy
my husband has advanced pancreatic cancer with another bowel cancer. he only started palliative chemo 2 weeks ago . once a week for 3 weeks and then a week off. however he is in such a mess already. the first week was not bad but this week it has really hit him. he has spent most of the day in bed and can not cope with anything but water.