The day you hear the word “cancer,” everything else goes quiet.
Whatever you are feeling right now is normal. Here is what is useful to know today.
Five things worth knowing today
- Cancer is not one disease.
There are hundreds of types, and they behave very differently. What you read online about “cancer” may have nothing to do with your diagnosis.
- Stage matters more than the word.
Two people with the same diagnosis can have completely different treatment and outlook. Ask your doctor for your specific stage and type.
- You have time to plan.
Very few cancers need treatment tomorrow. There is almost always room for a few days to understand your options.
- A second opinion is normal.
Good doctors expect it. Bring your reports to us, or take ours elsewhere. Either is fine.
- You do not have to understand everything at once.
Bring someone with you, write your questions down, and ask us to repeat anything.
What happens at your first visit
- Registration, at the front desk.
About 10 minutes. Bring an ID.
- Consultation with an oncologist.
Bring every report you have, even old ones. Expect about 20 to 30 minutes, and expect to be asked about your family history and any tobacco use. Answer honestly; it changes what we look for.
- Tests, if needed.
Blood work, scans, or a biopsy. We'll tell you what each one is for before you agree to it.
- The plan.
Once results are in, your case goes to our tumour board. You will be told the options, what each involves, and what it will cost, before anything starts.
What to bring
- Every medical report and scan you have, including older ones
- A list of medicines you currently take
- Your ID
- A family member who can listen with you
- Your questions, written down
Most families think of their real questions in the car on the way home. We made a card you can carry in. It has the questions our patients most often wish they had asked.
Bring your reports and your questions. Explaining is part of the treatment.
How this practice works