Uncertainty of Cancer
Before you get diagnosed with cancer, you assume that it will be an unpleasant experience, but one that is pretty straightforward. One might think, “I have this type of cancer, so I will get that type of treatment.” Like getting a hernia fixed, only more serious. But cancer is filled with uncertainty and hardly anyone […]
Keeping in Balance
Yesterday afternoon, a woman about to begin chemotherapy came into my office and asked, “What advice do you have to help me get through my treatment?” I’ve been asked this question in various forms hundreds of times. I now realize that the answer boils down to this: “Keep things in balance.” It’s all about being […]
Cancer and Depression
Many people who have cancer go through a period of depression. It can happen during treatment or many months or even years later. What especially concerns me is that many cancer patients who are depressed never report their depression to their doctors. There are many phrases that people use to describe depression: a lack of […]
Living Well with Advanced Cancer
Many of the people I talk with on a regular basis have advanced cancers. They don’t expect to be cured, but they do enjoy a surprisingly good quality of life. And when they gather together, they are more likely to share laughter than to share tears. How is this possible? While everyone handles advanced cancer […]
Cancer-Related Anxiety
The days following a cancer diagnosis are almost always filled with anxiety. (I have, however, talked with a few people who were relieved when they were diagnosed. They instinctively knew that they had cancer and getting the diagnosis brought them peace of mind and allowed them to move forward.) But most people who are newly […]
Don’t Be Obnoxious
I sometimes hear people say that they best way to get good health care is to be obnoxious. By this, they mean that you should demand that the doctor see you immediately, or that you should demand that your needs be met first. Let me give you some advice: Don’t be obnoxious. It always works […]
The Art and Science of Oncology
I suspect most people-and many health professionals-think of treating cancer patients as being especially challenging. Some of those challenges are fairly obvious-people with cancer are often very sick, death sometimes looms as a possible outcome, and everyone in the waiting room is scared. Other challenges are less obvious. A cancer diagnosis affects the entire family. […]
Doctor-Patient Interactions
I spend much of my time helping seriously ill patients navigate the health care system. As a result, I’m constantly talking with patients about their interactions with doctors and other health professionals. Although each encounter is unique, I’m increasingly aware of some universal truths that contribute to good patient-doctor encounters. Not surprisingly, good encounters require […]
Human Side of Cancer
Cancer treatment often involves operating rooms, chemotherapy protocols, and high tech radiation therapy equipment. All of which have reduced cancer deaths and improved the lives of those who have been diagnosed with the disease. My job – and it’s a great job — is talking with people being treated for cancer. What they comment on […]
Communicating with Your Doctor
I’m always struck that some people diagnosed with cancer want to know absolutely everything about their disease while others just want to be told when to show up for treatment. Some people complain that their doctors give them too much information while others complain that their doctors give them too little. Every doctor I’ve known […]