By Virginia “Ginya” Carnahan, APR.CPRC, Director of Marketing & Development, Dattoli Cancer Center & Brachytherapy Research Institute
The kindly doctor in the white coat has just told you that you have cancer. In a blink of an eye your world comes to a halt. You suddenly doubt your own hearing. Did I hear that right? Me? I have cancer? Your head may begin to swim; you feel the bottom of your stomach drop; your palms are instantly sweaty.
Now what do you do? The doctor may be speaking to you but you can’t quite understand the words. You think you might be dreaming, having the worse nightmare ever. Suddenly you feel very alone.
Hundreds of people experience this exact thing every day in doctors’ offices across the country and around the world.
First – take a deep breath. Second – take another deep breath. Don’t stop breathing. Breathing is important! Oxygen fuels the brain and you will need your brain to begin the search for advice.
Listen carefully to what your doctor recommends but don’t make any decision on treatment until you have had time to digest what has occurred. Even the most advanced cancer diagnoses outcomes won’t be impacted by waiting a few days – and most will allow you a few weeks (sometimes more) to research treatment options and make an informed decision.
Sometimes the newly diagnosed patient will be reluctant to discuss the diagnosis with friends and family, but they can be a wonderful source of support and advice. Almost everyone knows someone else who has been in your shoes. If you feel comfortable, ask for their advice. Most likely the patient will be happy to share what he or she has learned from their own experience.
When turning to the outside and unknown world for information, be very careful. Understand that the practice of medicine is a business and physicians and medical centers can have vested interest in which treatment option you choose. I often counsel newly diagnosed patients that researching a treatment protocol is like buying a car. When you go to a Chevy dealership, all they will tell you is how wonderful the Chevy is. They will offer you no credible information about a Volkswagen or a Ford. You have to go to those car lots and see for yourself. You would not purchase a new vehicle without investigating it first – you’ll look under the hood, kick the tires, try out the seat and check the Consumer Reports data on the car.
The same kind of attention should be paid when considering a cancer treatment (or other major medical procedure). You’ll want to know what to expect from the treatment, how many cases like yours the doctor has treated, what other patients choosing the same treatment have to say about it, if the doctor has any published results, and much more.
The internet can be a wonderful resource. It can also be the source of all kinds of dangerous material. There is no filter on the internet. Anyone can post anything! Much of the internet material is very good but much is pure garbage, too. Look for recognized and respected sources, such as university-based medical schools and legitimate not-for-profit organizations, such as the American Cancer Society or National Cancer Institute. If the information you find seems too good to be true, it most likely is. If someone advocates swallowing three red marbles a day to cure prostate cancer, steer clear of that bogus advice.
One good way to use the internet is to tag your searches with the word “discussion,” such as “non-surgical prostate cancer treatment discussion.” Your search will find other people talking about their own experiences. Generally this is information you can trust, coming from individuals and not from medical marketing machines.
Look for a support group in your community. You can call the local hospital or health department to find out about support groups. These gatherings offer you the chance to talk to others who are going along the same journey as you. There will be people who are newly diagnosed as well as some currently under treatment and others who are proud survivors with plenty of advice.
In some cases, a period of monitoring the cancer is possible instead of opting for treatment at this time. Ask your doctor if you fit into this group. This used to be called “watchful waiting.” It is now referred to as “active surveillance,” and requires that you have periodic blood tests and scans to track the progress of the cancer. This does not mean that you can ignore the cancer diagnosis, however!
Whatever you decide to do, go forth in confidence that this is the right decision for you. If you have any doubts at all or don’t understand something about the treatment, keeping asking questions until your mind is at ease. You will then be able to sleep at night, knowing you did your “due diligence” in researching the treatment. A positive attitude will be your secret weapon in fighting your cancer!
Dattoli Cancer Center & Brachytherapy Research Institute
941/365-5599
1-877-DATTOLI | www.dattoli.com