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.
Will I have nausea during treatment?
Nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment are, for the most part, a thing of the past. Most cancer treatments don’t cause nausea anymore. But for the ones that do, we can almost always prevent nausea or vomiting with nausea-preventing medications. If you experience nausea at all during treatment, it will most likely be mild (like a minor hangover or morning sickness) and it will usually only last for a day or two after treatment.
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.
Will I have fatigue during treatment?
Cancer treatment often causes some degree of fatigue. Cancer can cause fatigue as well. The pattern and intensity depend on the type and schedule of your treatment. CANCER FATIGUE: Sometimes the cancer itself can cause fatigue, depending on the type and extent of disease. If you have curable, early-stage cancer you may only notice fatigue […]
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.
Should I be on disability leave?
Most people can still go to work or school with minimal interruption during cancer treatment. There are exceptions, such as intensive treatment for acute leukemia or aggressive lymphoma. Most people will need to modify their schedule to allow for frequent clinic visits, and may need to modify their work hours or school course load to allow for treatment-related fatigue. If you’re very ill at diagnosis, or if your treatment is expected to be extremely intense or will require frequent hospitalization (such as for some forms of acute leukemia or aggressive lymphoma) you may need to take disability leave from work or school for a period of time.
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.
Does insurance cover hospice care?
In the United States, all patients covered by Medicare receive complete coverage for all hospice services provided in the home. Many non-Medicare insurances also provide generous coverage for hospice services, though you should check with your insurer or hospice provider if you’re not on Medicare.
Can I be on hospice while I’m receiving cancer treatment?
Usually not. In most cases, hospice care can only begin when active cancer treatment ends. There are exceptions, the most notable being pediatric cancer. Some agencies are piloting concurrent cancer treatment/hospice care for certain specific cancer situations. But these are rare exceptions and may not be available.
Will I die sooner if I go on hospice?
It’s actually the other way around – multiple studies have clearly shown that early hospice enrollment helps patients live longer and better than those who waited.
