Coping with Cancer, Part 5 - The Health Care Team

 

Installment 5 of this 9 part series dealing with cancer discusses the various components of the health care team in place to provide care and support for the cancer patient and his / her family. We researched the resources at the National Institute of Health to uncover how individuals and families respond to living with the diagnosis, treatment, and the possibility of the ultimate end. They complement each point with their advice - not from the clinical perspective but with practical suggestions. Each person and case are different, so hopefully this lengthy discussion will benefit you and / or your loved ones.

Your health care team are there to help you, so utilize them. Physicians or nurses are good sources of answers to medical questions. It's helpful to write down on a sheet of paper all questions you have about cancer, its treatment, any side effects from it, or any limitations treatment may place on your activities. (Incidentally, there may be surprisingly few limitations other than those caused by changes in physical capability.) Other members of your treatment team, such as physical therapists, nutritionists, or radiation therapists, can explain the "whys" of these aspects of your therapy.

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