Making Cancer Care Decisions

 

The patient and their family members are important members of the health care team and can be informed and involved in cancer care decision-making. Here are some tips to becoming an active member of your care team.

Accept an active role in your health care decision-making and believe your voice matters

At first you may feel like a victim when cancer unexpectedly enters your life. You may feel as if you have no control over your life, but a role in your decision-making can help you regain control.

Two-way communication: Ask questions and answer theirs with honesty.

Be proactive and ask questions regularly of your healthcare team about your disease, treatment options and possible short-term and long-term side effects. It may help to take a list of all your questions with you to an appointment. Find out how is the best way to contact the doctor if you have a question outside a scheduled appointment

Also, let them know what matters to you and discuss your concerns about how your cancer will affect you personally. Keep them well informed of how you are healing and coping, and any usual symptoms or changes in body function.

Learn about your disease and you healthcare choices.

When you are an informed participant in your healthcare decision-making, your communication with other members of your healthcare team is greatly improved and you will be more likely to understand your disease and options.

You should first decide for yourself how many medical details you want to know and let your health care team know. Some people are overwhelmed by too much information.

You should be the expert on you, your body, and what is going on with it; you know yourself better than anyone else. Once you have all the necessary information, talk your healthcare choices over with your family and friends.

See the National Cancer Institute’s A to Z List of Cancers for cancer information or see the Cancer Types section of this Web site for more disease-specific resources. 

Remember what your doctor says.

It may be difficult to remember what the doctor says during your appointments because you may be anxious, afraid or overwhelmed. There are things you can do to help you remember what the doctor says.

  • Take notes.
  • Ask your doctor if you can tape-record your conversation.
  • Bring a family member, friend or caregiver. Having them there will also keep them up-to-date which is important if you want their help in the decision-making.

Find people who have been through what you currently face.

People who have faced the situation you currently face can give you insight into how they coped with cancer. They can also help you identify questions, express your fears and hopes, and offer reassurance. There are some resources that can help connect you to these individuals.

Talk with your family and friends.

You may want to include your family and/or friends in the healthcare decision-making. They can offer a supportive listening ear or help you talk through your options. Family members may especially be affected by your cancer and the decisions you make related to the disease, and they may appreciate involvement in the decision-making.

More information:

Cancer Survival Toolbox® (National Cancer Survivorship Coalition)

Making Treatment Decisions (American Cancer Society)

How to Find A Doctor or Treatment Facility If you Have Cancer (National Cancer Institute)

Treatment Guidelines for Patients (American Cancer Society, National Comprehensive Cancer Network)