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| From OncoLog,
July/August, Vol. 48, No. 7/8 |
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Getting the Best Treatment
If you
or someone you love has cancer, you’ve probably felt a loss of control,
a sense of helplessness in the face of a powerful disease. It’s
true that you can never go back to the time before you heard the words,
“You have cancer,” but there are things that you can do, such
as taking steps to ensure that you receive the best possible treatment.
The
following are suggestions to help you get the highest-quality cancer care
available:
Pick
the right doctor.
Choosing
the right doctor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
Your primary care physician may refer you to an oncologist, a doctor specializing
in cancer. You can find information on the Internet about physicians,
their specialty areas, their medical training, and where they practice.
Two sites to try are the American Medical Association’s online service
“AMA Physician Select”
and the American Society of Clinical Oncologists’ online
list of cancer specialists.
You
might want to meet with several doctors before choosing one. Find out
if the physicians are board certified and how much experience they have
with your type of cancer. Also, it’s important to find a doctor
who listens to you, explains things clearly, and welcomes questions.
Consider
getting a second opinion.
 After
your doctor offers a diagnosis and a treatment plan, you might want to
get another physician’s advice before you start treatment. This
is common, and your doctor should not be offended. A second specialist’s
assessment of your case can make you aware of all the available options
for treatment, confirm your proposed treatment plan, or suggest some modifications
to it. It also can reassure you that you’ve taken the right path.
Choose
the best hospital.
If
you’ve already picked your physician, you may automatically be admitted
to the hospital where your doctor practices. Sometimes, though, you have
some choices.
According
to the American Cancer Society, the best cancer hospitals have round-the-clock
physician staffing, pathology and diagnostic laboratories, a blood bank,
social services, advanced diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, respiratory
and physical therapy, rehabilitation services, and an intensive care unit.
You
can check out the hospital you’re considering by accessing the Quality
Check service on the Web
site of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations,
a nonprofit organization that evaluates health-care facilities.
Learn
everything you can about your condition.
Being
well informed about your cancer can only benefit you. But be sure that
the health information you rely on is accurate. Two reliable sources of
health information are the Cancer Information Service (1-800-4-CANCER)
and the National Cancer Institute’s
Web site, which offers the latest cancer information from its database.
Don’t
be misled by information on the Internet that touts questionable treatments
or miracle cures. The Federal Trade Commission, which investigates false
or misleading health claims posted on the Internet, has an Operation
Cure-All Web page that can help you evaluate claims about health products.
Help
yourself during cancer treatment.
You
can be an active participant in your own care. Keep your doctor or nurse
informed about your health. Tell them, for instance, about any side effects
you’re experiencing or other medications you take.
Try
to eat healthy foods, drink plenty of liquids, and get enough rest. Discuss
your feelings of sadness, anger, or fear with your friends, family, or
a counselor. It helps to talk about your feelings.
By picking
the right physician and hospital, learning all you can about your illness,
communicating with your doctor, and taking care of your health, you can
make sure that you receive the best possible treatment. For more information on this topic or for questions about M. D. Anderson’s treatments, programs, or services, call askMDAnderson at (877) MDA-6789.
Other articles in
OncoLog, July/August 2003 issue:
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