For years we have preached to cancer patients to find a qualified oncologist who believed he could successfully treat you. Now, more than ever, those words are vital! Curable individuals are being told, “There is nothing that can be done” or “The treatments are worse than death.” It is terrible to believe that individuals might be dying unnecessarily Continue reading “Emergency!”
Informed Decision
Every cancer patient is entitled to make an informed decision. While it sounds so simple, it is possibly one of the most difficult aspects in getting started in the right direction. Being told that nothing can be done, that surgery is required tomorrow or take these pills and come back in 90 days is not making an informed decision. Continue reading “Informed Decision”
Patient Responsibility
In discussing the idea of mandatory second opinions for newly diagnosed cancer patients (www.blastcancer.org) a cancer support organization came to the conclusion that the patient must be responsible for his/her own body in lieu of another Federal or state regulation. That’s only logical. If I don’t care that much about my life, why should anyone else? We all hate regulations Continue reading “Patient Responsibility”
Deciding to take treatments
“Should I take chemotherapy?” Lately I have heard this question asked by callers several times. Whether it is by an 80 year old gentleman with slow growing lung cancer, by a 52 year old lady with advanced ovarian cancer or a young lady with breast cancer. The answers, with numerous qualifications, is “yes” Continue reading “Deciding to take treatments”
Time is Critical
Time is a critical factor in the successful treatment of cancer. Cancer grows geometrically. In other words, 1 billion cancer cells will become 2 billion or 10 billion will become 20 billion in the same length of time it takes 1 cell to become 2. Cancer can not be detected by an x-ray, scan, or feeling until it contains at least 1 billion cells. Continue reading “Time is Critical”