What does a physician tell a newly diagnosed cancer patient? That is a vital question and paramount in the mind of every physician as cancer is diagnosed or treatment or lack thereof is recommended. If the physician is overly pessimistic or in some cases brutally frank without optimism, the life of the patient is ruined and the chances of recovery is eliminated if there is any truth to the belief that the patient’s attitude has a bearing on their recovery. If the physician is overly optimistic, the patient will not be prepared for an adverse outcome and will not put forth the necessary energy to help Continue reading “A Very Narrow Line”
Searching for Support
Numerous clinical trials validate the benefits of a cancer support group. There is little doubt that individuals attending a support group live longer than those who do not. But even greater than that is the fact that those attending a support group have a substantially better quality life. And in my opinion, quality of life is the most important factor Continue reading “Searching for Support”
How to select an institution
I receive numerous calls from cancer patients around the country asking where the best place to treat their cancer would be. That is a much more complex subject than it appears on the surface. First of all, their motivation and how serious their cancer is statistically must be considered. Continue reading “How to select an institution”
Questions to Ask Your Doctors
The more involved you are the better care you will receive. You can also ask important questions of your caregivers, family and friends to help determine the roles they can best fill for you throughout your cancer journey. Continue reading “Questions to Ask Your Doctors”