MercyOne Expert Shares 5 Things You Should Know Before Cancer Treatment Begins
A cancer diagnosis can be unexpected and instantly life-changing for you and your family. If you just found out you need cancer care, there are ways to prepare yourself for your cancer care journey.
“Each person's cancer care journey is unique and making some of these decisions can be stressful, especially if you’re new to the health care world,” said Jackie Bierman, director, MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center. “Having a care team, you trust who can help you through your journey is important.”
Here are five things you should know before your cancer care begins:
Appointments: After a cancer diagnosis, your health care team’s priority is ensuring you get the health care you need, which include appointments with radiology, pathology, or meeting with all new physicians for additional testing and consultations.
Some things take time: If additional testing or consultations are needed, there may be a wait time for the results or to book your appointment with another expert. Patients can’t begin treatment until your care team have all the information.
Be your health care advocate: Do research to understand your options and only use accredited sources for information. Trusting your care team has your best interest in mind can ease your nerves during a very scary time in your life. During the meeting with your doctor, ask the hard questions, like “what are best- and worst-case scenarios?”. It’s helpful to come to the meeting prepared with a list of questions. Your doctor can discuss your options and work with you to find the treatment options that work for you.
Unexpected costs: Even with the best insurances, things like side effect management supplies, wigs, nutrition supplements and over-the-counter medications are not frequently covered. Many centers and communities have programs or funds for patients to help with some of these costs.
Support system: A cancer diagnosis can be a very frightening time and an emotional rollercoaster. Invite a family member or friend to join you on your appointments with you. In addition to your own support system, your care team likely has resources built in to help support you—use them.
“We want you to know that we are here for you and we want to help you through your journey so you have all the information you need to make the medical decisions for your specific health care needs,” Bierman said.