Forming a Partnership

A good doctor-patient relationship is an essential component of cancer care. A good relationship is built first on trust. You need to be able to trust your doctor and other members of your health care team. A lack of trust can create a barrier to receiving the care you need and deserve. A good relationship is also sustained by mutual respect. Your cancer team deserves respect, and so do you. Your doctor should offer you a central role in the decision-making process, and work with you to select a cancer treatment plan that is right for you. Moreover, a good partnership with your health care team is based on open and effective communication.

The Importance of Good Communication

Even if you have a good relationship with your health care team, talking about your cancer experience can be a challenge. However, good communication with your doctor is important for many reasons. It can help you:

• Gain clear information about the disease
• Understand your treatment options
• Make informed decisions about your care
• Receive a more personalized treatment plan
• Better prepare for and manage side effects
• Express your feelings and concerns
• Receive comprehensive follow-up care
• Feel more in control of the situation
• Feel confident about your care

Questions for Your Health Care Team

An important part of your cancer care is asking questions of your health care team. Your needs are unique and your questions will change throughout your care. The following are some examples of questions you may decide to ask your cancer team:

• What type of cancer do I have and what does it mean?
• Am I at increased risk for developing cancer again? Are other members of my family at risk for developing cancer?
• What is the stage of the cancer and what does it mean? Has the cancer spread to other parts of my body?
• What are my treatment options? Am I eligible for any clinical trials?
• How often and how long will I have to undergo treatment?
• What side effects might I expect? How can I reduce or manage these side effects?
• How will I know if my treatment is working?
• Will I have to stop working during cancer treatment? Is there a special diet or exercise routine I should follow?
• What support services are available for patients and families? Can you recommend a counselor?
• When and who should I call if I have questions?

Gearing Up for the Fight

Cancer can be overwhelming. You may find it difficult to concentrate or to comprehend the information you receive from your doctor and/or other sources. You may feel hesitant to ask questions or to express your concerns with your health care team. If you are dealing with symptoms, such as nausea or fatigue, you may not want to mention it during your appointment because of time constraints. However, it is very important to find a way to communicate these details with your doctor. Effective communication will help you feel confident in your treatment and get the support you need.

Tips for Communicating With Your Cancer Team

• Educate yourself. Learning about cancer is like learning another language. When you understand the language, communication improves between you and your health care team. Ask your doctor if there is written information or educational materials (i.e., books, pamphlets, videos, etc.) that you can take home with you. By having knowledge of your treatment options, you will be better able to balance these options your own needs and make informed decisions. And, the more you know, the more confident you will feel about your decisions.
• Keep files and records. Staying organized is an important component of cancer care. If your health care team members reside in different locations, coordination of care can be a challenge. Keep a record of your medical history, medications, test results, and symptoms. Also, keep a calendar with your doctor’s appointments and treatment schedule. Take these records with you to your visits. The more organized you are, the better able you will be to help manage your care..
• Come prepared to appointments. Have you ever left your doctor’s office and forgot to ask something? Even the most caring and patient doctors have hectic schedules and often have limited time to spend during each visit. Try to write down the specific questions you want answered ahead of time. Ask your doctor if you can send the list before your visit. Make your questions specific and brief, and prioritize them in order of importance. By preparing in advance, you can make the most effective use of you and your doctor’s time during appointments.
• Find out what works for you. Each person’s communication style is different and what works for one may not work for another. Some people feel more in control and empowered when they know all of the details. Others find all the information to be overwhelming. Still others would prefer information they can take home and read about on their own time. Decide how much or how little information you want to know, and let your doctor know.
• Speak up. You know yourself better than anyone else. It’s important to keep your health care team fully informed about how you are coping, and any new or unusual symptoms you may be experiencing (e.g., changes in your sleep, bowel habits, mood, appetite, memory, sexual function). If members of your health care team are located in several different places and departments, make sure you keep all your providers informed. Communicating your needs will give your cancer team a clearer picture of your situation so they can address your needs and formulate a more individualized treatment plan.
• Bring someone with you to appointments. Naturally, you may be preoccupied with worries or find it difficult to concentrate during appointments. Whenever possible, it may help to bring a family member or friend with you. They can think of questions you may not have thought to ask, and point out changes you may not have noticed. They can also help take notes for you and assist with decision-making.
• Take notes. It’s easy to forget what your doctor said after you leave your appointment. Bring a notebook to all your visits and take notes, or get a friend or family member to take notes for you. You can also ask your doctor if you can tape record your discussion (always ask permission first) for later review.
• Clarify what you don't understand. If your doctor uses medical terms you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask him or her to explain it in another way. Try repeating what you think was said back to your doctor for confirmation. If you understand better with pictures, ask to see x-rays or slides. If you still have difficulty understanding, ask your doctor for printed material, or other educational materials. Unless you tell your doctor that you don’t understand something, he or she will usually assume that you do.
• Stay in touch. Make sure you understand the next steps before leaving your doctor's office. If your doctor was not able to answer all of your questions due to time constraints, ask when a good time would be to finish your conversation. Find out the best method (e.g., phone, email) for you to reach your health care team if you have questions once you get home.
• Consider a second opinion. Even if you have a good relationship with your doctor, you may want to seek a second or third opinion before beginning therapy. Don't be afraid of offending your doctor if you would like to get a second opinion. Most doctors understand the value of a second opinion when facing a major decision. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to change doctors. And, when you are able to talk with several experts about the disease, it can help you feel more confident knowing you have explored every possible resource to receive the best available care.
• Seek help when you need it. Remember, you are your most important advocate. Your health care team is there to help you. Let them. If you are dealing with troubling side effects, it is better to seek advice rather than wait to see if the symptoms become worse. Don't wait for your next scheduled appointment to contact your health care team about an important issue. Ask for referrals to psychological, financial, and/or spiritual support resources. In addition, family members, friends, and other cancer survivors can provide a tremendous amount of support as well.
• Don't give up. If you have been given no further options, it does not necessarily mean that other options do not exist. Remember, there are other doctors that may present a different picture. If you want to continue treatment, explore your options. Some hospitals may be able to provide more advanced technology and resources that can help you. If you want to continue to actively fight cancer, find a health care team that is willing to fight with you.

NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH PROVIDER PRIOR TO MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT.

When you become a patient at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), you will have your very own team of cancer experts fighting for you each day. CTCA doctors are accomplished in using leading-edge technologies and tools to treat all types of cancer, including advanced stage and complex diseases.

When you first arrive at a CTCA hospital, you and your care team will work together to decide on a treatment plan which best suits your individual needs. Throughout your care, there are several ways our cancer experts will partner with you to fight cancer.

First, your care team will communicate openly with you and encourage you to take an active role in your treatment decisions. It’s all part of our Patient Empowerment Medicine^SM (PEM) philosophy of care. It means our cancer experts work with you at whatever level you are comfortable to empower you with options, information, and support the way you need it.

Second, your care team will make every effort to understand your unique medical condition and needs so you receive a personalized treatment plan. Since they reside in one location, members of your care team are able to meet several times a week to review your treatment regime and goals. They will work together to share knowledge and provide you with the best coordinated care possible.

Third, your CTCA care team abides by the Mother Standard^® of care. This means your doctors will take time to know you as an individual and answer your questions. It means they will provide you with the same warmth, unconditional support, and respect they would extend to their own mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and other loved ones. It also means that your care team is committed to exploring every cancer treatment option available to you and continually researching innovative new options.

At CTCA, you will find a unique, patient-centered approach to fighting cancer. Our cancer experts are here to provide open, honest and straight-forward communication to support you as an individual. Here, you truly are first and at the center of your care.

I hope this information has helped you in some way. I will check in with you again next month. In the meantime, stay strong and hopeful.