A diagnosis of cancer can be overwhelming. It's common for cancer
patients to feel out of control and even a bit helpless. One thing
you can do that will help you to feel more in control is to take an
active role in your treatment. That means being involved in all the
treatment decisions that affect your care. Ask your healthcare team
to explain to you each of the medicines you're taking and what they
do. To help you, we've created a handy list of questions to ask your
healthcare team about your treatment plan.
Download the list now.
One other thing you can do is to get organized. It's another way to get
some measure of control of your situation, and it's easy to do. For
example, you can:
- Record your personal and family medical history (Download our handy Medical History Form)
- Keep all your tests and appointment records together in an easy-to-find and well-marked folder, envelope or other storage container
- Ask for and keep copies of your reports, lab results, X-rays, CAT scans, etc
- Keep track of all medical steps that are taken: the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take along with other treatments
- Also keep track of doctor's visits, hospital stays, and other events related to your treatment
These simple steps will help you become more involved with your treatment
team and play an active role in your treatment plan.