DECISIONS DECISIONS HOW TO

Make sure you understand the goals, expected benefits, and possible risks of the recommended treatments. Take time to understand the medical goals for your treatment, process the information your health care team gives you, and ask questions. The goal of palliative cancer treatment is to help you live as well as possible for as long as possible. Cancer treatments that are used to control cancer are called 'palliative cancer treatments.' This is because the treatments help relieve symptoms and side effects for as long as possible.

This does not mean that the cancer cannot be treated and controlled for a certain period of time. Sometimes, a cure for cancer is not possible. When therapies are used to eliminate cancer, they are called 'curative cancer treatments.' A treatment plan that is intended to cure cancer will also include palliative and supportive care to manage symptoms and side effects. This can help you make the best decision about treatment for you.Ĭancer treatments, also called cancer therapies, have two goals: cure cancer or control cancer.Ĭurative cancer treatments. For example, if a cancer treatment causes nausea, there are several different ways to avoid or reduce nausea, such as a prescription medication.ĭuring your conversation with your doctor about treatment options, it is important to understand the goals of each treatment in your treatment plan. They will also use palliative and supportive care to manage symptoms and side effects. Your doctor may use some treatments to slow, stop, or eliminate the cancer. Understanding the goals of your treatment options

These types of conversations are called shared decision-making. Ask your oncologist which treatment plan they recommend and how they made that decision.

DECISIONS DECISIONS HOW TO

Talk with your health care team about how to manage possible side effects. This is because everyone experiences different side effects and results from treatment. Sometimes, the answers to these questions may be uncertain. Ask your doctor what you can expect from each of the proposed treatments, including things such as how it would make you feel (quality of life) and how much benefit it may provide. Take time to learn about all of your treatment options and ask any questions that are unclear. Unless your health care team tells you starting treatment is urgent, it is important to take time to understand and digest the information about your cancer type and diagnosis to make decisions about the recommended treatment options.Īfter understanding the type of cancer, the stage, and treatment goals, you and your health care team can work together to choose a treatment plan. What are my treatment options? This is the most common question all people with cancer and their caregivers have. Sometimes you will hear this described as 'quality of life.' For others, it will be to live your life as best as possible for as long as possible. For some people, the goals of treatment will be to cure the cancer. This question will also help you understand treatment goals. What do my diagnosis and stage mean? This question will help you understand your prognosis, which is the predicted course of the cancer. The treatment you receive will depend on the cancer's stage. The cancer's stage tells you where the cancer is located and its size, if it has grown into nearby tissues and how far, and if it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body and organs. Cancer staging is a way to describe where the cancer can be found in the body. Where is the cancer located? This is called cancer staging. Understanding the type of cancer and where it started will help your health care team know how to treat it. What type of cancer do I have? This is also called a diagnosis. There are four important questions that you should discuss with your health care team: Your treatment plan will depend on the type of cancer you have and its stage at diagnosis. Here are some simple, important steps you can take as you start the decision-making process. But many people do not know where or how to start. Unless you are facing an emergency, take time to research your options, ask questions, and talk with family and friends.ĭecisions about cancer treatment are personal, and you need to feel comfortable about your choices. These decisions can be complicated by anxiety, unfamiliar words, statistics, and a sense of urgency. After a cancer diagnosis, people with cancer and their families have to make a number of decisions about medical treatment.

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