Where do you go to confirm your diagnosis and start treatment: a convenient local hospital or more distant cancer center? Many community hospitals provide some cancer care, such as surgery to remove tumors or standard chemotherapy for common types of cancer. By contrast, cancer centers focus solely on cancer.
Full Answer
Are there any guarantees in cancer care?
But there are no guarantees in cancer care. There’s no way to know for sure whether treatment will work. No one can predict the side effects or problems your loved one will have during treatment.
What are the most common treatments for cancer?
The most common treatments for cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. Treatment may mean time in the hospital or making many trips to a clinic for radiation or chemotherapy. The patient may be able to go to some treatments on their own.
How can I be more comfortable with cancer treatment decisions?
You'll be more comfortable with any cancer treatment decisions you make if you: Decide how much you want to know. While most people want to know exactly what their treatment is and their survival chances, others don't. If you don't want to know all the details, let your doctor know.
What should I do if I have advanced stage of cancer?
If you have an advanced stage of cancer or a cancer that hasn't responded to treatments, you might decide that comfort is most important to you. You and your doctor will work together to make sure you are free of pain and other symptoms. Services such as hospice care and palliative care might be helpful for you.
Where do they put cancer patients?
Ports are most often placed under the skin of the chest or arm. With certain types of cancer, a port might be placed in the abdomen (belly) to allow medicine to be given into the area where a tumor is. To use the port, a nurse sticks a special needle through the skin and into the port's septum.
Who specializes in treating patients with cancer?
Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer.
Where do people go for chemotherapy?
You may get chemotherapy: At home. In your doctor's office. In a clinic.
Do cancer patients live in hospitals?
You usually get hospice care at home. Other options are a care center, such as a nursing home, or a special hospice center. Some people even have hospice care in a hospital.
What is the oncology department?
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
What is done in the oncology department?
Oncology is a sub-specialty of medicine dedicated to the investigation, diagnosis and treatment of people with cancer or suspected cancer. It includes: preventative medicine. medical oncology (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and other drugs to treat cancer)
Do you have to stay in the hospital for chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy in hospital You might need to stay in hospital overnight or for a couple of days. This is usually if: you need to have the drug in a very slow, controlled way. you need to have fluids through a drip for a few hours before or after the particular drug you're having.
Is chemotherapy inpatient or outpatient?
Most cancer chemotherapies can be administered safely and effectively in a physician office or through home healthcare services. However, because of the risk of certain toxicities or individual comorbidities, some cancer chemotherapy may be administered either in a facility observation or inpatient unit.
Do you have to stay in the hospital after chemo?
You may receive chemotherapy during a hospital stay, at home or as an outpatient at your doctor's office, clinic or hospital. Outpatient means you do not stay overnight.
Is Stage 4 cancer a death sentence?
All these cases reflect that Stage 4 cancer is not a death sentence and a normal life can be achieved with personalized cancer treatment just like any other chronic illness.
Is Stage 4 cancer serious?
Stage 4 cancer, also known as metastatic cancer, is a serious disease that requires immediate expert care. Patients who have been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer may consider getting a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis and explore treatment options.
Does cancer have a smell?
People aren't able to smell cancer, but you can smell some symptoms associated with cancer. One example would be an ulcerating tumor. Ulcerating tumors are rare. If you have one, it's quite possible it will have an unpleasant odor.
What are some ways to help cancer patients?
Many cancer patients find that yoga, acupuncture, vitamins and herbs, and other types of health practices help them. Watch a short video about complementary and alternative medicine. Let your health care team know if you are using any of these medicines.
What are the consequences of cancer?
Surviving cancer has physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial consequences that start with diagnosis and continue through treatment and beyond . It also includes issues related to follow-up treatment, side effects of treatment, the risk of getting cancer again, and your quality of life.
Can you get an infection from chemotherapy?
If you are treated with chemotherapy, you’re more likely to get an infection. Get tips on how to avoid infections, and other ways to stay physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy.
Is cancer a survivor?
When you have been diagnosed with cancer, you are considered a cancer survivor from that moment throughout the rest of your life. Surviving cancer has physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial consequences that start with diagnosis and continue through treatment and beyond.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can you endure the side effects of harsher treatments?
If this is your goal, you might not be willing to endure the side effects of harsher treatments. Comfort. If you have an advanced stage of cancer or a cancer that hasn't responded to treatments, you might decide that comfort is most important to you.
Can you cure cancer?
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. Ask your doctor about your chances for a cure to help you understand more about your situation. Control.
How does a caregiver help a cancer patient?
The patient may have good days and bad days, so they may need more help with daily personal care and getting around. Caregivers can help patients save energy for the things that are most important to them. Appetite changes: As the body naturally shuts down, the person with cancer will often need and want less food.
What happens when you have cancer?
Digestive system: If cancer is in the digestive system (e.g., stomach, pancreas, or colon), food or waste may not be able to pass through, causing bloating, nausea, or vomiting.
Why is it important to have advance directives for cancer patients?
It’s important for people with cancer to have these decisions made before they become too sick to make them. However, if a person does become too sick before they have completed an advance directive, it’s helpful for family caregivers to know what type of care their loved one would want to receive.
What does it mean when a caregiver is overwhelmed by caring for the patient?
The caregiver is overwhelmed by caring for the patient, is too sad, or is afraid to be with the patient. The caregiver doesn’t know how to handle a certain situation. Keep in mind that palliative care experts can be called upon by the patient’s physician at any point in the person’s illness to help with these issues.
Why is it important for a family caregiver to take care of their own body?
Family caregivers are affected by their loved one’s health more than they realize. Taking care of a sick person often causes physical and emotional fatigue, stress, depression, and anxiety. Because of this, it’s important for caregivers to take care of their own body, mind, and spirit.
Why do people with cancer lose appetite?
The loss of appetite is caused by the body’s need to conserve energy and its decreasing ability to use food and fluids properly. Patients should be allowed to choose whether and when to eat or drink.
What happens when cancer is no longer controlled?
When a cancer patient’s health care team determines that the cancer can no longer be controlled, medical testing and cancer treatment often stop. But the person’s care continues, with an emphasis on improving their quality of life and that of their loved ones, and making them comfortable for the following weeks or months.
What is supportive care for cancer?
Sometimes called palliative care, supportive care helps keep people with cancer from having severe pain, nausea, or other symptoms. It’s care that aims to treat symptoms, not cancer. It helps the person feel as good as possible for as long as possible. The person who refuses cancer care may be open to hospice.
How to stay healthy after cancer?
Remember to take care of yourself, as well as the person with cancer. Find ways to help yourself relax. Make time for regular exercise, and be as active as you can.
Why do we need a second opinion?
A second opinion can give the person with cancer more information and help them feel more confident about choosing a treatment plan. Learn more in Seeking a Second Opinion.
How soon after cancer diagnosis can you start treatment?
Most people want to start treatment right away. They worry that the extra time taken to do tests or make decisions will take up precious time that could be spent fighting the cancer. Cancer treatment should start very soon after diagnosis, but for most cancers, it won’t hurt to wait a few weeks to begin treatment.
How long does it take to find out if you have cancer?
It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to find out if it’s cancer and, if so, what kind of cancer. This is a difficult time for the patient as well as for loved ones who are aware of the possibility of cancer. Some notice that they think of worst-case scenarios and wonder if they’ll lose their loved one.
What happens when you have cancer?
When a person has cancer, they go through different stages. Your understanding and your care will change over time, too. There will be times when you don’t know what will happen next, and with an illness as serious as cancer, that’s a scary place to be. But there are no guarantees in cancer care.
Can cancer treatment be short?
Treatment can be long or fairly short, but even short treatments tend to disrupt a person’s life for several weeks. As the caregiver, your life and your family’s lives may be disrupted, too. You may find that you need to take time off from work. See If You Are About to Become a Cancer Caregiver for more on this.
Medical expenses of cancer treatment
Learn as much as you can about cancer and your cancer treatment before it starts. Remember that each person's experience and treatment is different. So, learning and asking questions will help you know what to expect for your situation. It can also help you plan for and deal with the costs related to your care.
What to ask about the costs of your cancer treatment
Talk with your health care team. They’ll usually know who can help you find answers to your questions, including questions about the costs of your treatment. Here are some questions you can ask about costs. Choose the ones that relate to you and your treatment.
What to ask about health insurance coverage of your treatment
Out-of-pocket costs are those you have to pay because your health insurance doesn’t or after your insurance company has paid its portion. These costs can add up quickly and may make it hard for you to pay for other things you need. You’ll want to be sure that your health insurance company pays or reimburses the bulk of your medical expenses.
What happens after you stop 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. No matter what you choose, your health care team can provide emotional and physical comfort and care along ...
What to do if you are depressed?
If you’re depressed, you may lose focus on your goals. Before you decide, speak to a counselor, ask your doctor about starting depression medication, or both. Look at other options. Some people like to exhaust all possible avenues for treatment before they make up their mind.
