Sharing the News
Deciding whether to tell people that you have cancer is a personal decision. You may feel it is essential to disclose your diagnosis, or you may believe privacy is critical.
Read MoreIf you decide to disclose information about your diagnosis, you need to determine who really needs to know about it. Then, start by speaking with people with whom you’re most comfortable.
At Work In Your Personal LifeIf you have decided to disclose your diagnosis, the best time to tell people if after you and your health care team have determined a course of treatment.
Read MoreDespite all advancements and innovations in cancer treatments, there are still many misconceptions about what people think a cancer diagnosis means.
Read MoreIf you have decided to disclose your diagnosis, you want to give some thought to how much people need to know. Remember that how much you share is totally up to you.
Read MoreAge is an important factor when deciding how much to tell your child or children about your cancer diagnosis.
ACS Resource CancerCare Resource NCCN Resource Helpful Words to Use
Cancer Care Checklists
This checklist covers everything from prescription information and treatment options to surgery details and care facilities.
Download ChecklistWhile fighting cancer, the most important things you can do to maintain your best possible level of health are getting recommended screenings, being physically active, and eating a healthy diet, among others.
Download ChecklistQuestions to Ask Your Health Care Team About Chemotherapy
Download ChecklistQuestions to Ask Your Health Care Team About Radiation Therapy
Download ChecklistQuestions to Ask Your Health Care Team About Surgery
Download ChecklistWhile fighting cancer, the most important things you can do to maintain your best possible level of health are getting recommended screenings, being physically active, and eating a healthy diet, among others.
Download Checklist
Planning Tools
By asking questions, keeping detailed lists, and taking note of test results, you can take control of your cancer care.
DownloadMedical errors happen when something that was planned as a part of medical care doesn’t work out, or when the wrong plan was used in the first place. They can occur anywhere in the health care system.
DownloadEvery year in the U.S., more than 70,000 adolescents and young adults between 15 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer.
Read GuideIf you have cancer, doctors will want to know the extent of its growth. Cancer tagging is a rating by your doctors to the extent of the cancer based on tests.
Read GuideYou need the confidence that comes from a list of sound, practical questions that can be used in teamwork with your doctor. You also need to know that it’s okay to ask questions ans expect answers in terms you can understand.
Download GuideThe National Comprehensive Cancer Network provides a dictionary with cancer terms. Take a look if you need a little help navigating your diagnosis and treatment.
Visit DictionaryBy knowing more about the medications you are prescribed, as well as possible side effects and how to use the medicine correctly, you can ensure that you are properly taking your prescriptions.
DownloadChemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to destroy or prevent further growth of cancer cells. It is a systemic treatment, meaning that the drugs flow through the bloodstream to nearly every part of the body.
Download Chemotherapy and YouYou may want to talk to another doctor who can look at your test results, speak with you about your personal situation, and give you a different take. Getting a second opinion can help you feel more sure about your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Why Seek a Second Opinion Navigating a Second Opinion Value of Second OpinionsYou may not have a lot of time to speak with your oncologist during an appointment, so it is wise to be prepared. Take a look at a few steps you can take to get ready.
DownloadRadiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading.
Download BookOver time, the strain of coping with your diagnosis and the realities of treatment may be compounded by other stresses, such as keeping up with work and dealing with family and friends.
Read MoreThroughout your experience with cancer, you may have reason to travel – for treatment, work, or for pleasure.
Read MoreCancer occurs when healthy cells live beyond their normal life cycle, do not die, and continue to grow out of control. As these abnormal cells multiply, they destroy normal, healthy cells.
DownloadCancer treatments can present extra challenges when it comes to makeup and cosmetics. Special care needs to be taken when choosing and applying cosmetics.
Read More Download GuideAwaiting a diagnosis and hearing the news can be the most emotionally difficult period of the entire cancer experience.
Read MorePalliative Care
Palliative care can begin at any point during care and treatment and is administered to improve the quality of life of patients. It is also called comfort care, supportive care, and symptom management.
Life After Cancer
Research indicates that physical exercise decreases the risk of a cancer recurrence and improves survival.
Read MoreThe end of cancer treatment is often a time to rejoice. You are probably relieved to be finished with the demands of treatment and are ready to put the experience behind you.
Download BookMany physicians and practitioners consider patients being treated for some types of cancer as living with a chronic condition.
Read MoreWith cancer behind you, now is the time to take charge of your health, focus on wellness, and swear off unhealthy habits.
Read MoreThe PearlPoint Cancer Support Survivorship Handbook addresses your “new normal,” as well as practical issues for life after cancer.
Download HandbookIt is recommended you wait at least a year after having cancer to get pregnant so that eggs that have been exposed to chemotherapy or radiation are no longer in the body, you are fully recovered, and you have been “cleared” by your oncologist regarding a recurrence.
Read MoreAlthough you and your doctor may talk about the risk of a cancer recurrence down the road, it is also important to talk about the late effects of treatment that may not become apparent until years later.
Read MoreYou may have heard stories of people who have battled one type of cancer only to develop another, different one. Often these new cancers are unrelated to the first and are not metastases.
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