Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, whether it’s your first encounter with the disease or a recurrence. After the initial shock and conversations with your doctor, the immediate question that often arises is: “What do I do now?”. This guide is designed to help you navigate those crucial first steps following a cancer diagnosis, empowering you to take control and move forward with clarity.
To provide expert guidance, we consulted with Dr. Ehab Hanna, a specialist in skull base tumors at MD Anderson Cancer Center, to outline the essential actions you should take in the wake of a cancer diagnosis.
Step 1: Understand the Specifics of Your Cancer Diagnosis
The very first action after receiving a cancer diagnosis is to gather comprehensive information about your condition. It’s vital to understand precisely what type of cancer you have and its stage of progression. Ask your doctor about the cancer’s location in your body and whether it’s classified as rare or common, and if it’s considered to be fast-growing or slow-growing. The answers to these critical questions are fundamental for making well-informed decisions regarding your treatment plan.
Dr. Hanna emphasizes the paramount importance of diagnostic accuracy: “Getting the diagnosis right is the most important step. An accurate diagnosis ensures you receive the correct treatment from the outset. Cancer is not something you can afford to play catch-up with. If you start on the wrong path, you’ll reach the wrong outcome faster.”
If you have any doubts about your diagnosis or if your doctor expresses uncertainty, it is highly recommended to seek a second opinion, particularly from a specialized cancer center like MD Anderson.
“Your initial treatment phase offers the best opportunity to effectively combat cancer, making your initial choice of where to seek treatment incredibly important,” Dr. Hanna states. “Receiving the correct treatment from the very beginning significantly enhances your chances of survival.”
Step 2: Investigate Your Cancer Treatment Options
Once you have a clear and accurate diagnosis, your next step is to discuss treatment options with your doctor and determine the best course of action tailored to your specific situation. Inquire about all available treatment modalities and which ones are most likely to be effective for your type and stage of cancer. It’s also crucial to understand the potential side effects associated with each treatment option and how these might impact your daily life and overall well-being.
Don’t hesitate to ask about clinical trials. Explore your eligibility for any ongoing clinical trials and whether these innovative treatments could offer additional or improved options for you.
Dr. Hanna addresses a common misconception about clinical trials: “There’s a misunderstanding that participating in a clinical trial means you’re a test subject, experimenting with unproven treatments. This is far from reality. Our clinical trials build upon the most effective cancer treatments currently available, adding elements that have already demonstrated safety and potential efficacy. Medical advancements in cancer care wouldn’t be where they are today without clinical trials.”
Step 3: Prioritize Multidisciplinary Cancer Care
When undergoing cancer treatment, the last thing you need is fragmented care where different specialists are not communicating effectively. Seeking treatment at a comprehensive cancer center like MD Anderson, where a multidisciplinary team of specialists collaborates seamlessly, is crucial. This team-based approach ensures that your medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, surgical oncologist, and other relevant experts are all aligned and working together to manage your care holistically.
“Having a highly coordinated, multidisciplinary team is absolutely vital,” emphasizes Dr. Hanna. “Your chances of survival and maintaining a good quality of life are significantly improved when you receive the right treatment upfront from a team of specialists working in concert.”
Step 4: Identify Your Personal Priorities and Non-Negotiables
Cancer treatment and its potential side effects can significantly impact your life in various ways. Therefore, it’s important to reflect on your personal values and identify any aspects of your life that are non-negotiable. Understanding these priorities will help your medical team tailor your treatment plan to align with what matters most to you. Openly communicating these priorities to your doctors enables them to consider these factors when making treatment recommendations.
For example, Dr. Hanna illustrates this point with the case of vocal cord cancer: “Consider a truck driver versus an opera singer diagnosed with vocal cord cancer. Their priorities regarding treatment outcomes might be very different. The opera singer might be extremely sensitive to even minor changes in vocal pitch and prioritize maintaining vocal quality, even if it means a longer treatment duration. Conversely, the truck driver might prioritize the fastest possible treatment to return to work and minimize disruption to their livelihood.”
Step 5: Communicate Your Goals and Aspirations to Your Doctor
Beyond medical outcomes, it’s essential to share your personal goals and aspirations with your doctor. What do you hope to achieve during and after your cancer treatment? What are your life priorities and future plans?
“I always want to understand my patients’ future plans, their hopes, and their dreams,” says Dr. Hanna. “What are they striving to accomplish through their treatment?”
Often, patients express their desire to reach specific milestones, such as witnessing a child’s graduation, attending a wedding, or meeting a grandchild. Sharing these personal goals creates a shared purpose between you and your medical team.
“When patients share these aspirations, it creates a mutual goal that we can work towards together,” Dr. Hanna explains. “Treating the cancer is only one part of the equation. Understanding what is meaningful and valuable to each patient is equally important in their care journey.”
Step 6: Establish a Robust Support System
Once you and your care team have decided on the most appropriate treatment plan, building a strong support system is crucial. This network of support can take many forms, depending on your individual needs and preferences.
It could be as simple as scheduling regular calls with friends for emotional support and encouragement to alleviate anxiety. Alternatively, it might involve seeking practical assistance with household tasks, childcare responsibilities during treatment, or designating someone to keep your loved ones updated on your progress.
MD Anderson offers various support resources for patients and caregivers. These include virtual support groups, educational Lunch & Learns, and myCancerConnection, a peer-to-peer support community that allows you to connect with others who understand your experience. You can also request a referral to a social work counselor from your MD Anderson care team for professional guidance in navigating your diagnosis and its challenges.
Regardless of the specific support you require, remember that you are not alone in facing your cancer diagnosis. Help is available, and building a strong support system is an essential step in your journey.
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.
