Top Cancer Tips From Cancer Survivors
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Top Cancer Tips From Cancer Survivors
Cancer Survivor Tip #1: What you do first matters
Thanks to research and advancements, a cancer diagnosis goes well beyond where they found cancer. You want the best treatment available today? We’ll show you how to get started down that path.
Comprehensive molecular profiling is the first thing worth asking about. It reveals so much more about your cancer than just where it was found. It can reveal treatments that might be more effective than others.
Cancer Survivor Tip #2: Get a second opinion from an expert in your unique cancer
Standard treatment protocols exist, but doctors can have different approaches based on their understanding of the disease, and their specific access to resources. We did the research to provide you a Best in Class list to choose from.
An excerpt from our Navigating Now blog:
Patients are generally afraid they will offend their doctors and potentially damage the relationship. We’ve heard from many in our community that when broaching the subject, their doctor made them feel guilty for “doubting” their ability to treat them. On the other hand, we have heard wonderful stories of collaboration and how well the two teams worked together.
Cancer Survivor Tip #3: Your goals matter and should be voiced
Your goals should be considered just as much as your diagnosis when selecting a treatment strategy. Remove the guess-work for your doctor and communicate what is important to you. This can be a wonderful exercise for you, as a patient, when talking with your family and your medical team. Treatments should align as best they can. It can really help in setting expectations and opening the proper communication channels between you and your medical team. We’ll ask you six questions and you can share your answers to get the ball rolling.
Help guide your medical team towards the best treatment strategy for you. We’ll help you identify your goals.
Cancer Survivor Tip #4: Meet with a supportive care specialist as soon as you can when starting treatment
Don’t wait until something is wrong. Supportive care specialists are most knowledgeable about side effects and how to mitigate them.
Studies show patients that who have access to a supportive care specialist are more likely to get through their treatment with fewer interruptions and less discomfort. A care strategist might also be able to help you in sorting out hard-to-make decisions, such as potentially having to source life insurance, from a company similar to global life among other life insurance companies. Although these decisions are hard they may be vital for a cancer patient in the future.
Cancer Survivor Tip #5: Experienced-based wisdom is invaluable
We learned a lot along the way. We’ll save you time and energy. Two things that are invaluable on this journey.
There is so much more to managing cancer than treatments and side effects. Thankfully, there are wonderful organizations who focus on different areas. We did the research to curate a thoughtful resource library just for you!