Page 29 - LIVESTRONG Digital Guidebook

Starting to Deal
With Cancer
It is important to find ways to move forward with your life after the initial shock of a cancer diagnosis.
Include the following steps as you begin to deal
with cancer:
• Learn as much as you can about your type
and stage of cancer.
• Find the best health care providers and
facilities for you.
• Learn about all of your treatment options and
the possible side effects.
• Identify specific concerns and needs you have.
• Find the help you need.
Knowledge is power. Knowing what is happen-
ing and what you need to do to meet your needs will
make the cancer journey easier.
LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT
YOUR TYPE AND STAGE OF CANCER
Knowledge can help you make good health care
decisions. Learn as much as you can about your
type of cancer. Find quality information that can
help you make important treatment decisions.
Many patients and their loved ones use the Inter-
net to learn more about cancer and treatment. Some
use online support groups, blogs or chat rooms. This
can be a good way to share experiences. However,
always evaluate the information that others share.
Also, be certain that the source of medical infor-
mation is qualified to provide that type of help. Talk
with your health care team to find out if information
is current, accurate and applies to your situation.
FIND THE BEST HEALTH CARE
PROVIDERS AND FACILITIES
One of the most important things you must do is to
find the health care providers that are best for you.
Be certain that the members of your health care team
www.LIVESTRONG.org/WeCanHelp
have experience treating your type of cancer. It is
important that you have a good relationship with
your team. You need to be able to trust them and
feel that you can talk openly. You and your team
should be able to work together to make health
care decisions.
Many nonprofit cancer organizations can help
you find the best health care providers for your type
and stage of cancer. They can also tell you about
local and national resources that are available and
how to use them.
For example, the National Cancer Institute
provides information about how to find a health care
provider or treatment facility. Call 800.422.6237 or
visit cancer.gov/about-cancer/managing-care/servic-
es/doctor-facility-fact-sheet to request information.
Get more information about your
type of cancer:
 Talk with health care providers such as
your physician, nurse practitioners, or
physician assistants.
 Learn about cancer terminology, lab reports
and medical reports.
 Find online cancer information provided by
government agencies such as the National
Cancer Institute at cancer.gov or call
800.422.6237.
 Contact nonprofit cancer organizations for
more information such as:
• Cancer.Net at cancer.net or 888.651.3038
• American Cancer Society at cancer.org
or 800.227.2345
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
at cdc.gov/cancer or 800.232.4636
J U S T D I A G N O S E D : G E T T I N G S TA R T E D 29