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.
What are the different types of cancer treatments?
Learn about the different types of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed when you have 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. Our Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Treatment may help.
What type of research does a cancer center do?
Cancer centers. Cancer centers carry out laboratory, clinical, and population-based research. Most cancer centers provide care for people with cancer, but some only conduct laboratory research.
What is the name of the doctor who treats cancer?
Some people first find an oncologist, a doctor who treats cancer. Then, they base the decision on where that doctor works.
What is the treatment center staff?
The treatment center staff will become part of your cancer care team. This team may include nurses, physician assistants, social workers, and technicians.
Do you need to stay in hospital for outpatient treatment?
For inpatient care, you stay in the hospital and are closely watched during treatment and recovery. Outpatient treatment does not require a hospital stay.
Does outpatient cancer treatment require a hospital stay?
Outpatient treatment does not require a hospital stay. It can take place at a hospital building, clinic, or doctor’s office. Talk with your health care team to learn about the types of settings where you may receive treatment. When the Doctor Says “Cancer". Making Decisions About Cancer Treatment.
What to do if you have cancer?
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, finding a doctor and a treatment facility for your cancer care is an important step to getting the best treatment possible.
How to find a doctor for cancer?
To find a doctor who specializes in cancer care, ask your primary care doctor to suggest someone. Or you may know of a specialist through the experience of a friend of family member . Also, your local hospital should be able to provide you with a list of specialists who practice there.
How to contact NCI for home care?
For other resources for home care, call NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800 -4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) or visit cancer.gov.
How long does it take to become a cancer doctor?
degree) or osteopathic doctors (they have a D.O. degree). Standard training includes 4 years of study at a college or university, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 7 years of postgraduate medical education through internships and residencies. Doctors must pass an exam to become licensed to practice medicine in their state.
What is cancer information?
Cancer information services are available in many countries to provide information and answer questions about cancer. They may also be able to help you find a cancer treatment facility close to where you live.
How to get a second opinion on cancer?
This is known as getting a second opinion. You can do this by asking another specialist to review all the materials related to your case.
What kind of doctor treats cancer?
Some specialists who treat cancer are: Medical Oncologist: specializes in treating cancer. Hematologist: focuses on diseases of the blood and related tissues, including the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. Radiation oncologist: uses x-rays and other forms of radiation to diagnose and treat disease.
Find the Right Treatment Center
Everyone's case is different, but there are situations where you may want to get care someplace besides your local hospital. A lot depends on how rare your cancer is, what stage it's in, and where you live. Bigger hospitals usually have more experience in treating less common cancers.
Learn About Your Cancer Treatment
Once you have a doctor who is managing your case, they'll review your treatment options with you. To make sure you understand and keep track of your choices, bring a notebook with you to your appointment so you can take notes. Or ask a family member or friend to come with you.
Find a Clinical Trial
Scientists are always looking for new ways to treat cancer in clinical trials. These studies test new drugs and treatments to see if they're safe and if they work. If you're interested in taking part in one, the best way to start is to ask your doctor if they know of any that would be a good match for you.
What to do if you don't understand a charge?
Ask about any charges you don’t understand. If you don’t recognize a charge on your bill, call the service provider and ask about it.
Is cancer treatment expensive?
Cancer treatment can be very expensive, even if you have health insurance. We offer some helpful tips below, and links to resources that may be able to help you.
How to help a cancer patient at home?
If the patient is getting an oral or topical treatment, you can get tips from the cancer care team or ask if a home health nurse can make a visit or two to check on the patient's set up , and make sure a good calendar or alarm system is in place as dose reminders. If it's an IV or injectable treatment, you can help by making sure visits are set up and find out what you can do to help with the set up at home.
What equipment is used for cancer treatment?
You can read more in Equipment Used During Cancer Treatment: Tubes, Lines, Ports, and Catheters and learn about safety precautions in Getting Intravenous or Injectable Chemotherapy.
What is oral treatment?
Oral treatment (pills, capsules, tablets, or liquids) or topical treatment (creams or lotions) Oral t reatment is given by mouth. Topical treatment is rubbed on the skin. If oral or topical treatment is part of your treatment plan, the medicine will be prescribed to you by your doctor.
What to do if you have been told to take a med?
Take the medicine exactly as you have been told to do.
What are the side effects of a cancer injection?
Has a fever higher than the level taught to you by the cancer care team or home health nurse. Has uncomfortable side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or pain.
How long do cancer drugs stay in your system?
No matter how you take these drugs, the chemicals remain in your body for hours to days after you take them. Small amounts of these drugs are in your urine, feces, vomit, and even your sweat. Ask your cancer care team if the treatment you'll be taking at home is hazardous.
How important is it to follow the schedule for oral cancer treatment?
It's very important to follow the schedule exactly as you are taught. This will help the treatment drug remain in your body at the right dose all of the time. It will also help you to have the best treatment outcomes. Tips for taking oral cancer treatments: Take the medicine exactly as you have been told to do .
How is cancer treatment planned and scheduled?
How Treatment Is Planned and Scheduled. To plan and schedule cancer care and treatments, a lot of information must first be collected. This information often needs to be shared with different specialists , as well as with patients and their caregivers, to help decide what treatment option is best. Once a treatment is decided on, care can be ...
What are the health professionals involved in cancer?
Some of these might include a surgeon, pathologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, rehabilitation (rehab) specialist, palliative care specialist, pharmacist, nurse, dietitian, social worker, and case manager. You can learn more in Health Care Professionals Associated With Cancer Care.
How important is communication in cancer care?
It can be a very involved process. Although treatment and care decisions are mostly made by patients and their cancer care teams, communication with others is very important. Sometimes, though, patients and caregivers might find themselves being the ones having to do most of the communicating.
What to do if you don't get a treatment plan?
If you don't get a written treatment plan, you can ask for a treatment schedule to be written out for you. A treatment schedule includes: The type of treatment that will be given, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, etc.
What are the types of support treatments?
Supportive treatments or therapies that might be needed, such as pain medicine, physical therapy, oxygen, or medical equipment
What is treatment planning?
Treatment planning involves figuring out the exact doses of the treatment that will be given and how long it will last.
What to do if you are not getting the information you need?
If you are not getting the information you need or if you think others on your health care team need more information than what's being given to them, talk to your cancer care team about what can be done to improve communication.
How can uninsured people get cancer treatment?
Uninsured patients with meager incomes (indigent) can get cancer treatments by applying for financial help at a non-profit hospital or medical center.
When does cancer insurance start?
The coverage would begin in the month after the close of this designated sign-up time frame.
How old do you have to be to get a breast cancer screening?
Between 40 and 64 years of age for breast cancer screening. Between 21 and 64 years of age for cervical cancer screening. A smaller number of states extend similar benefits to both men and women dealing with malignancies affecting other body parts such as the prostate and colorectal organs.
Does Medicaid cover cervical cancer?
All fifty states provide Medicaid coverage to women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). [V] The CDC offers free screenings to women who meet these standards. Uninsured or insurance does not cover exams.
Is there free insurance for cancer patients?
Free Insurance. The federal government supports two possible forms of free or very low-cost health insurance (Medicaid & Medicare) for cancer patients. You could qualify for no-cost coverage if you meet the financial criteria and fall into a protected class as stipulated by your state.
Can cancer patients get Medicaid?
Many cancer patients can easily enroll in Medicaid any time during the year if they live in one of the 36 expansion states. The Affordable Care Act allows states to expand eligibility criteria to include low-income families (below 138% of the federal poverty level – $17,236 for an individual in 2020) who do not fit other narrowly defined groups (see below).
