Cancer - 4 - Diagnosis & Awareness

Possible Action Steps

Review individual’s cancer diagnosis and if known, the stage and if it’s spread. Talk about individual’s age, overall health, and personal preferences, and if this might affect their treatment options.
Discuss treatment options for individual’s type of cancer ~ does he or she have questions at this point about what options are available? Have they considered how their values and priorities fit in to these options?
If applicable, encourage individual to look into being part of clinical trials for cancer treatment ~ is this of interest to him or her?
Talk about individual’s support system ~ Does he or she have a loved one accompanying them to appointments?
Discuss complementary therapies that can help during cancer treatment ~ massage, meditation, herbal teas, etc. Encourage individual to investigate these if they are of interest.

Possible Action Steps

Talk about social, spiritual and other kinds of support networks individual has investigated (in-person and online). Have they been helpful thus far? Does he or she need more suggestions of resources to look at?
Discuss whether individual is trying to “protect” loved ones by not sharing information about diagnosis ~ or, conversely, if loved ones are trying to shield individual from other stresses. Encourage individual to talk openly with a trusted friend or family member.
Role-play sharing what individual wants others to know about their diagnosis at this point ~ think about how to tailor message to family members, children, friends, co-workers, etc.
Talk about initial fears individual may have about paying for cancer treatment ~ what has he or she investigated thus far (health insurance, COBRA, government assistance, etc.)? Provide a resource if individual wants more financing information.
If individual is able, encourage him or her to engage in mild exercise such as walking, yoga, swimming, or stretching. Ask individual if they can commit to getting some exercise 3-4 times a week.

Possible Action Steps

Discuss if individual has gotten a second (or third) opinion on cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how they feel about making treatment decisions at this point.
Talk about whether individual feels they have all the facts they need on their cancer diagnosis and what to do next. If not, problem-solve how individual can get their questions answered.
Encourage individual to investigate an unbiased, trustworthy source for research on cancer diagnosis and treatment, such as American Cancer Society or National Cancer Institute.
Discuss individual’s system for staying organized through appointments, medical records, test results, answers to questions ~ paper filing system, smartphone or tablet apps, etc. Encourage him or her to bring a binder or portable computer to all appointments if they don’t already.

Possible Action Steps

Discuss whether individual feels that their doctor(s) is/are a good match for their own personal philosophy on dealing with cancer. If not, encourage him or her to look for a doctor who is a better “fit.”
Talk about building an extended healthcare support network ~ counselors, social workers, spiritual mentors, other cancer patients. and cancer survivors. Ask individual to seek information related to their cancer diagnosis from a trusted and admired person.
Encourage individual and their loved ones to sign up for an in-person or online support group, such as the American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network.
Talk about how individual wants to share information with loved ones during cancer journey ~ assign a loved one as the point person for questions, keep a private blog on a site such as CarePages, etc.