How to Manage Your Cancer Care

What is the best way to manage my cancer treatment?

There are three things to keep in mind when you are managing your cancer car

1. Communication: Communicating with your healthcare team on how you are doing and what you need is very important.

2. Support: Get help managing your medication from loved ones or a caregiver so you are not doing it alone.

3. Wellness: Try to maintain your health as best you can during this process. Rest when you need to, eat nutritious foods, and avoid stress when you can. 

Communicating with your healthcare team

Being your own advocate and participating in your cancer treatment process can make a big difference in your cancer journey. However, communicating when you are under stress can be challenging. There are a lot of new terms to learn and it can be intimidating, but it is most important that you are comfortable communicating and that you understand your care plan. Don’t be shy about asking for clarification on anything you do not understand. It is important to have a good relationship with your healthcare team.

Remember, it is recommended to get a second opinion on your diagnosis and cancer treatment plan from another doctor.

Below are some tips on how you can actively participate in your cancer treatment by communicating with your healthcare team:

• Make a list of all your questions and bring it to your appointments

• Find out what form of communication is best to get your questions answered. Should you call, email, or wait to talk at your scheduled appointment?

• Bring a friend or family member to appointments to help listen and take notes

• If you have questions that may take a bit of time to answer, let your doctor know at the start of the appointment so they can best manage the time they have with you 

• Ask about who you can contact with any questions between visits 

• Ask questions until you are sure you understand. It is okay to ask the same question again or to tell your doctor you need it explained in a different way

• Make sure to always tell your healthcare team about any side effects or symptoms you may be experiencing

• Make sure to always tell your healthcare team about any other medications, homeopathic or natural treatments, or supplements you are taking

Managing cancer medications

Here are some tips on how you and your caregivers can manage your medication

• Use pill organizers, charts, calendars, or another method that works for you to keep track of your medication. This will help you ensure you are taking the right medication at the right time

• Maintain a master list of your medications. One easy way to do this is to ask your healthcare team to print out a list of your medications for you. Your medications are likely to change over the course of your cancer treatment, so be sure to review this list at each appointment. If you have a spouse or caregiver who helps you organize your medications, it will be important to review the list with them as well

• Do not skip a dose. If you do, contact your healthcare team for directions

• Make every attempt to not run out of your medicine. Call your pharmacy when you notice that you are running low and need a refill. If you use mail order delivery, remember to give staff ample time to refill your medication and speak with your insurance company

Maintaining your health

Cancer treatment is an involved process and it can be very challenging to go through. Maintaining or developing a healthy lifestyle while you are being treated for cancer can help you get through it. Here are some tips to help. Remember that everyone is different and only you know what works best for you. Always talk to your doctor before trying something new.

• Refrain from smoking and if you do smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting

• Ensure you are eating nutritious foods. You will be experiencing the rigors of cancer treatment and will need all your energy to heal and recover. A healthy diet will help build strength

• Stay as active as possible. Be sure to talk to your doctor to learn how to best tailor your exercise regimen for you

• Pay attention to your emotional health. Getting a cancer diagnosis is upsetting and you may experience many overwhelming emotions throughout your cancer treatment. Get support to help you cope with your emotions and cancer experience