Nearly 1.7 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. And a cancer diagnosis not only affects those battling the disease themselves, but the loved ones who are there alongside them every step of the way.
With so many people being impacted, it’s important to know what to do after being diagnosed with cancer.
First and foremost, it’s critical to be proactive. Too many individuals and their families wait to contact an oncologist after receiving a diagnosis in a primary care or hospital setting. The days — and sometimes months — lost between diagnosis and consultation can be detrimental to one’s road to recovery. There is no undermining how difficult the emotional process can be when you’re diagnosed, but you must take action.
And on that note, it’s important to remember that cancer comes in so many different phases, stages and forms. Most cancers should be curable in the early stage and that’s why early detection is the key.
Patients are encouraged to research credible medical websites for information on their cancer and to weigh the information that is out there. Not everything will apply to an individual’s unique cancer diagnosis, but this research generally helps in understanding the abundance of options out there.
Once you have ample background information, you should make an appointment with an oncologist as soon as possible. That first consultation is all about a doctor getting to know the patient and preliminary diagnostic tests will be performed.
This testing phase can take some time and may involve a number of scans to determine the stage of one’s cancer. How quickly these scans may be completed is often contingent on how rapidly an insurance provider can approve respective tests.
Once the initial tests are completed, an oncologist determines the first course of action based on the patient’s needs. A patient may first need to see a surgeon or radiation oncologist to receive treatment, which may include precise radiation treatment (i.e. CyberKnife radiosurgery), systemic therapies (i.e. chemotherapy and immunotherapy) or, in some cases, simple observation.
At Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, we always look at clinical trials and we participate in more than 170 research trials each year. This participation has played a role in developing 60-plus FDA-approved therapies to-date.
After the initial consultation and testing, the patient returns to meet with the oncologist and sign off on a consolidated treatment plan. At CCCN, this plan is pathway-driven and evidence-based using National Comprehensive Cancer Guidelines, specific to a patient’s diagnosis. Once the plan is complete, an oncologist, radiation oncologist and/or surgeon may coordinate subsequent treatments.
If there is a chemotherapy component, we recommend that patients and their families attend one of our chemotherapy classes, offered exclusively by CCCN. At these classes we explain the chemotherapy process, show visuals, provide information on the drugs utilized and how many treatments may be needed, explain common side effects and more. With chemotherapy, and any treatment regimen, it’s important for patients and their families to know what lies on the road ahead.
A first chemotherapy treatment is very insightful, typically showing a patient’s unique side effects and what he/she may tolerate. Every subsequent visit, an oncologist or practitioner will discuss any side effects, the patient’s toxicity and the need for any supplemental care. CCCN has extended hours to accommodate varying schedules, an on-staff dietician, a team of social workers as well as an in-home nursing program.
It is vital to have a clear line of communication with your physician to ensure the best possible outcome and to mitigate the chance of side effects during the treatment plan. Once treatment has ended, a patient is monitored and may be periodically tested based on National Comprehensive Cancer Guidelines.
It is every oncologist’s goal that a patient leaves his/her final treatment in better health. This outcome is that much more possible if the right proactive and reactive measures are made immediately after diagnosis.