Do I have to share my information with the government while on a clinical trial?
Many clinical trials are designed and managed by the National Cancer Institue (NCI) in the United States. This is a government funded agency whose goal is to improve cancer care. Data from many clinical trials are collected and stored within the NCI or aligned agencies, however, it is typically de-identified such that patients are protected from […]
How do I tell my loved one I have cancer?
You should tell them the way we hope you were told – clearly, concisely, and with extra time taken together to talk about any emotions you or they may be feeling.
What information should I trust?
Information about cancer from the internet, the press, and your friends can be accurate, biased, incomplete, speculative, premature, irrelevant. Sorting out what’s helpful can be a real challenge. Science changes its mind when presented with enough contrary evidence. This is its main strength. Always demand evidence and be skeptical of any claim that can’t be […]
What are the cancer risks for family members?
There is some variability from one type of cancer to another. In a general sense, having a first-degree family member (sibling, parent, child) with a common cancer; this typically does increase an individual’s risk of developing that type of cancer by 2-3 fold.
Is cancer treatment poison?
Just like any other medicine, many vitamins, and alcohol – cancer treatments can indeed be poisonous. Whether something becomes poisonous or not is a matter of the dose, and how it’s used.
Will I lose my hair?
Some forms of intensive chemotherapy can cause hair loss. We’ll tell you if this is something you should expect. Most forms of radiation therapy don’t cause hair loss. Whole or partial brain radiation is an exception, and may result in hair loss.
Should I get a second opinion?
You can’t get very far with your healthcare team if you doubt whether you’re getting good advice. It’s natural to doubt and second-guess any scary diagnosis – like cancer. And you want to be sure nothing important is being overlooked. Getting a second opinion at the beginning can go a long way to putting those worries and second-guesses behind you, so you can focus on the road ahead. If the thought of a second opinion ever occurs to you, go ahead and ask for one. How your doctor reacts to a request for a second opinion is also a good test of whether they’re trustworthy. Medicine is supposed to be collaborative, and any good doctor will be more than willing to have the diagnosis and recommendations reviewed by someone else. So if your doctor is reluctant or annoyed about getting a second opinion, you should probably work with someone else.
Should I join a cancer support group?
Yes. It really is that simple. You think you don’t need it, or won’t benefit from it. You’re mistaken. Try it. You may not need it for long. Maybe only once will be all you need. But no one other than a group of people going through the same thing will ever understand. Not even your doctor.
Do I need to change my lifestyle?
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, diet, and obesity can help cause a cancer. And it’s never too late to start making healthier choices. But making sudden and dramatic changes in factors that helped start a cancer can’t change the course of a cancer that’s already developed – any more than blowing out the match that started a forest fire can affect the fire once it’s going.
Does insurance cover the cost of clinical trials?
Yes, typically insurance plans are mandated by federal law (the Affordable Care Act) to be covered by commercial and government insurance plans.
