When I switched to my second oncologist, he actually prescribed a more moderate treatment plan than my first doctor who conferred with MD Anderson Cancer Center on how to treat my rare lymphoma. “I didn’t know that there were any other options, so I just followed my doctor’s recommendation.”. Someone should be available after your first appointment to discuss your diagnosis. What a great post. How common is cancer? Liver cancer in the United States has tripled since 1980 and is becoming one of the most common types of cancer nationally. How can they be tested? The number of prostate cancer deaths has fallen from 39 per 100,000 in 1992 to 19 in 2018. Remember that the goal with alternative therapies is to build the immune system and holistic health of the person, not to rid the body of tumors. The more aggressive the cancer, the more intense the protocol needs to be from the start. We did, and every doctor we asked said “yes.” My husband recorded on his cell phone with ease. International doctors are much more likely to view the body in a holistic perspective than American doctors. Thank you for this post. Pam, Yes- you make your own samples with morning urine, acetone, alcohol, and a coffee filter. He dips into why the survival rates listed by the American Cancer Society are greatly generous. 1. Hi Cortney. It is important to eat as much of an anti-cancer diet while going through conventional treatment to help counter the negative effects. 1. Thank you. According to a large 2004 clinical study, the number is closer to 40%. Be Happier. I would much rather do the urine testing. Will I still be able to look after my family, or will I need help? Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Will Fleiss 2020-05-13T12:00:17+00:00 Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Whether you’re leaning toward an approved pancreatic cancer treatment or a clinical trial treatment, it’s paramount to get all of the relevant information from your oncologist. He does not have cancer. What about conventional treatment will guarantee that my cancer won’t come back? Even so, I still decided to pursue Bill Henderson’s protocol, a completely holistic approach. What convinced me was this: First of all, the side effects were AWFUL. What are the ways to treat my type and stage of cancer? 5 Questions to Ask Before Agreeing to Any Cancer Treatment . many clinics in these areas that are treating patients successfully without chemotherapy or radiation. What gives you peace? Where is it located? I took 4,000-6,000mg of Vitamin C a day during treatment. In 2008, the American Cancer Society stated that I had a 5-year cure rate of 90% with chemotherapy and radiation. 10 Cancer Questions to Ask the Radiation Oncologist The more you know about your cancer treatment , the more confident you'll feel. I am bookmarking your tips for future reference. Will I be able to live a normal life when I get older? 5. Research. Oncologists are great for teaching you about the behavior of your cancer and monitoring you by blood tests and scans. They just have to be “alive” 5 years from diagnosis. If it weren’t for my rule-defying husband, I would have followed my doctor’s recommendation of chemotherapy and radiation, no-questions-asked! Thanks1 Pam, Hi Pam- I updated my post just for you! Adjusting to Cancer. You don’t have to ask all of these questions. Cancer Doesn’t Wait: 3 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Breast Health During COVID-19 Sponsored by Here’s what you need to know about breast cancer screening and diagnosis during the pandemic. Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About Liver Cancer Treatment Will Fleiss 2020-05-13T11:57:46+00:00 Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About Liver Cancer Treatment Whether you’re leaning toward an approved liver cancer treatment or a clinical trial treatment, it’s paramount to get all of the relevant information from your oncologist. It is normal to feel anxious or confused. ). Getting answers from your doctor may help you make more informed decisions. The amount of radiation from frequent PET and CAT scanning was unsettling for me so after my diagnosing scans, I chose to monitor my cancer with frequent HcG testing and physical examination of the tumor site. Let’s take my case as an example here. So when you meet with specialists, go in with specific questions. Just diagnosed with b-cell lymphoma and in a fog, but certain I don’t want chemo or radiation. As soon as you are diagnosed, there is no time wasting. Questions to ask about vulvar cancer. It’s important to have honest, open discussions with your cancer care team. Also, how much Vitamin C do you take and where do you purchase it? It may also be helpful to ask a family member or friend to come with you to appointments to help take notes. 3. It also doesn’t take into account that person’s quality of life during and after treatment. Some talk aboutthe far future, and others may give you more insight into the nature and opinionsof your doctor. I followed the Better Way Health link for the Beta 1-3D Glucan, and it didn’t go anywhere. When you study survival statistics, you have to understand that the survival rates for cancers in the U.S. are marked by a 5 year survival. Heart damage, hair loss, nausea, anxiety, depression, secondary cancers, and infertility. I hear it all the time when cancer survivors ask me about beating cancer without chemotherapy or radiation. I had Stage II Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Here are some common questions colorectal cancer patients should ask their doctors: What stage of colorectal cancer do I have? You can ask questions about anything you do not understand. If you decide on an alternative treatment you may find it helpful to have a knowledgeable holistic MD or naturopath to help coach you along the way. Learn how your comment data is processed. Consider asking each of the following questions: Where is the cancer located? Let’s say you do obtain remission with conventional treatment. You should ask your doctor or breast care nurse to explain anything you're unsure about. Educate yourself until knowledge overcomes fear. Your email address will not be published. When normal cells are damaged, this can have side effects. Richard Burkhart, M.D., a surgical oncologist at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, answers frequently asked questions about liver cancer: The questions you choose should be based on your unique needs and interests, and those questions may change over time. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s. I really appreciate your helpful & resourceful action tips for a cancer diagnosis. It is a prayer issue. A relative with a more aggressive breast cancer waited 6 weeks to begin treatment. 5. It is true that chemotherapy will kill cancer cells in most cases, but it also kills a large amount of healthy cells along with it. Remember that you have the right to have your questions about the cancer and treatment plan answered. Have an advocate work with you. Which part or parts of my body are affected? Use the menu to see other pages. Your standard American oncologist probably won’t know much about any treatment except the big three: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Registered charity: 118829803 RR 0001, Choosing care and treatment for advanced cancer, International Cancer Information Service Group. How do I access a dietician if I have nutritional concerns or difficulties? Do your RESEARCH! Start Fundraising Now! ), I personally use HcG to monitor, but some people prefer scans. © 2021 Canadian Cancer Society All rights reserved. You may find it helpful to prepare a list of questions and take it with you to appointments. Is this type of cancer caused by genetic factors? Many people find it helpful to write their questions in a notebook, leaving a space after the question for the answer. Do I have a genetic predisposition to uterine cancer? All to often people just panic and find themselves in a medical web of chemo & radiation where they have lost the keys to their own health. If you or a loved one has been newly diagnosed with cancer, I think you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to spend some time pondering these. Find out how your cancer behaves. Questions to Ask About Novel Treatments for Stage 3 Lung Cancer Even with traditional cancer treatments, stage 3 lung cancer can be challenging to treat, so the emergence of newer options has been an exciting development for those with advanced cancer. Chemotherapy affects both cancer cells and normal cells. (Someone who does not have cancer). Also consider supplements that strengthen the immune system. Navigating life after a breast cancer diagnosis can be challenging, but knowing the right questions to ask your care team can be a big help. … You don’t have to ask all of these questions. You will be surprised about how long your doctor will wait to schedule you for your treatment. Thanks so much for all of this useful information. This is usually a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). What kind of supplies, equipment, or any other help will I need when I go home? If for some reason the initial alternative protocols do not work, you can change or add additional protocols. This may help you remember to ask your questions when you are at the appointment. They can also help ask questions or record answers. Ask the healthcare team how to contact them between appointments if you have any questions that need to be answered quickly. It helps to keep questions clear and focused. Here's what to ask before and after surgery. Pam. Pancreatic Cancer FAQs: Ketto, a leading crowdfunding platform provides information about the questions to ask your Oncologist. I’m going to order the Beta Glucan. Long-term side-effects and efficacy aren’t known as well. He/she may be aware of clinical trials available, but in most cases there are still side effects and these trials are still pharmaceutical. Find out what kind of questions you may want to ask about your pathology results after a diagnosis of breast cancer. The following sections include key questions to ask the healthcare team (organized by topic). Choose the questions that fit your, or your child’s, situation and add questions of your own. After that, my only hope would be a clinical trial or a last minute attempt at an alternative treatment. Consider HcG testing. I believe it detects a general idea of cancer growth for all cancers. There is no reason to wait, no matter what treatment you decide on! My husband took it and got a 48. Sometimes this comes from caretakers who have already lost their loved ones to cancer or perhaps to the cancer treatment itself. Now I feel more empowered and in control of this thing! Do you still order your Veta 1-3D Glucan there? If I didn’t do any treatment for 6-8 weeks, how could my cancer progress? Thanks so much. By Lisa Esposito, Staff Writer Oct. 23, 2019. If you have a friend or family member who has been recently diagnosed, send them this. Do you know if all kinds of cancers show up with an abnormal test, or if it is just specific for certain cancers? ON THIS PAGE: You will find some questions to ask your doctor or other members of the health care team, to help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. I had no idea of my own power and right to question and disagree with my doctor if a treatment plan didn’t work for me! Fellow alternative cancer survivor Chris Wark wrote a great article about this with clinical studies HERE. Find out how your cancer behaves. Your doctor is there to guide and work with you, not to order and instruct you. Are you going to die? Or write us. What treatment do you recommend? Why do you think it is best for me? What questions should you ask your doctor before you begin chemotherapy? Learn as much as you can from your doctor and your own research. The 5 questions I discuss today should be pondered by EVERY individual given a cancer diagnosis. Many supporters of conventional treatment believe that chemotherapy and radiation is the elite cancer cure, but one look at even generous statistics, and you can see that is not the case. Pray about them. Write down or record the answers to your questions so you can review them when you need to. Testing alone takes WEEKS. In Canada, kids are introduced to Terry Fox in Kindergarten, and as inspiring as he was, he ultimately succumbed to the disease. You should immediately begin an anti-cancer diet. Like I said before, learn about the behavior of your cancer to weigh this decision. Your healthcare team will talk with you the surgery options that are best for you. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Every patient with cancer, in cooperation with family members, needs to ask the treating doctor some important key questions. From the time I was diagnosed until I was scheduled to begin chemotherapy was 5 weeks. There were many times, even some recent that I have gone back and listened to those recordings. You should also ask for permission to Audio Record your cancer decision conversations with your doctor. You may want to bring a family member or close friend with you to appointments. Don’t hesitate to ask new questions that you think of while you are at the appointment. Feelings and Cancer. One Agario hack specially states it is going to make you acquire double sizing as soon as eating Dr. Peter Glidden explains why we still have a 'war on cancer' when it was started more than 40 years ago. It answers a great deal of questions and self-doubt I have circling around my head before my Dr’s appointment. Are my family members at risk of this cancer? After going through initial biopsy and staging procedure, this should be your first question. What are long term side effects and what are the conventional treatment cure rates for my type and stage of cancer? About one-third of all people in the US will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Even a preliminary view … Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are or may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 4. “You should make informed choices.” Related Articles Patient Story • Gastric Revision: Back On The Road To Good Health. It is natural to have many questions after a cancer diagnosis. Worldwide, more than 700,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year. Required fields are marked *. Questions to ask. Questions to ask about the risk of developing uterine cancer. If one hears of a person, for instance a person who works in the same place, that has been diagnosed with cancer, how does one bring to their knowledge that natural treatments exist ? Is it possible to cure or control my cancer? If you think of questions later or need emotional support, you can speak to one of our cancer support specialists on 0808 808 00 00. Bianca- thank you so much. As long as you are proactive with an anti-cancer diet, your condition should not drastically worsen in 4-6 weeks, the amount of time most alternative protocols take to show progress. These will list all chemicals involved and their short and long term side effects. Have a great week back at school! Questions about Cancer Treatment. Here we address some of the common questions people ask about cancer. What should I tell them? Confirm with the healthcare team that the answer you have written down is correct. 2. A lot of the time they have no clue that alternatives are even an option. The person hasn’t said anything, but it is known that the person is about to start conventional treatment. What’s the cancer’s stage, and what does that mean? Here are some random questions that you might want to ask. I sure don’t, but i don’t know many people’s scores. It is VITAL that we as patients are well-informed and make decisions out of knowledge and peace- NOT out of fear. After going through initial biopsy and staging procedure, this should be your first question. Cancer can put us into a mental fog and we don’t always hear everything the doctor says. Learn about the actual cancer. 90%!!! On the other hand, what if I did alternative treatment and it doesn’t work? 2. What are the benefits and risks of each of these treatments? When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t even know there was such an option as “Alternative Cancer Treatment.” There were no “Alternative Cancer Treatment for Dummies” manuals, no highly publicized advertisement for alternative cancer treatments, and no list of doctors in my area who believed that my cancer was treatable without chemo or radiation. Your immune system will be battered during chemotherapy and radiation. What is chemot Your email address will not be published. Do you know if it works for all cancers, and can you send in your own samples and then they respond with the readings? Remember that you can continue to ask your healthcare team questions during your treatment. other tissue. This is the same test that Chris Beat Cancer told me I should get. Would palliative care be helpful for me and/or my family? Following your diagnosis your oncologist will immediately begin to teach you about the schedule of chemotherapy and radiation you will receive for your cancer treatment. 4. It is much more difficult to do it the other way around after your immune system has been taxed by chemotherapy and radiation, sometimes multiple times. Questions to Ask. The Top 5 Questions Kids Ask About Cancer, Answered. I would just say something like “Hey- I wanted to send something your way that might be helpful. 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Health started this company have the right to have your questions so you can from doctor! Even so, I personally use HcG to cancer questions to ask, but some people prefer.! Above to read the directions of “ how to prepare the sample. ” going. 118829803 RR 0001, Choosing care and treatment plan answered in with specific questions appointments to help counter negative. The survival rates listed by the Australian Government in 2006 to benefit all Australians affected cancer! Term side effects and these trials are still side effects side-effects and efficacy aren ’ t into... Some foods that can interfere and weaken the effectiveness of chemotherapy remission with conventional.! Many Kids ’ first knowledge or experience of cancer is never easy for anyone learn those. As eating other tissue beating cancer without using toxic chemicals really work Henderson ’ s 118829803 RR 0001, care... Bring a family member or close friend with you, not to order the Beta post! 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