Content Overview 
- Summary
- Let your emotions settle. A cancer diagnosis is usually not an emergency.
- Contact the doctor who diagnosed you or the doctor's nurse or office manager. Ask for a repeat of the basics, including how long you have to make a decision..
- Take time choosing a cancer doctor - generally a specialist called an Oncologist.
- Focus on getting the medical care you need. A patient navigator can help. Postpone major non-medical decisions until after treatment ends if possible.
- Learn the basics about your cancer.
- Decide whether you or someone else will be the decision maker about your health care. Learn how to maximize time with a doctor.
- Before deciding on a treatment, consider getting a second opinion. Understand the pros and cons of each possibility.
- Think of non-traditional treatments as complementary or in addition to - not instead of what your doctor has to offer.
- Decide who to tell about your condition, when, and how much to tell.
- Think of family and friends as part of your health care team. Ask them for help when you need it. Your health needs should come first, but also consider theirs. If you have underage children, tell them about your diagnosis in an age appropriate manner.
- If you work, whether you are an employee, business owner, or self employed, be cautious telling about your diagnosis right away. There is no legal obligation to tell. Consider taking some time to focus on your condition first.
- Share your emotions. Watch for depression. Consider seeking counseling. Keep busy while waiting for test results. You may also want to consider getting a pet if you don't have one (yes, a pet).
- Start looking at your insurance and financial situation to determine how you will pay for medical care. Even with health insurance, medical care can be costly. Free or low cost care is available if you are uninsured or underinsured.
- Attend to your financial basics. Pay your rent or mortgage and minimums on your credit card. Start keeping track of all medical services you receive and expenses you pay. Don't pay a medical bill just because you receive one.
- Financial assistance may be available if needed.
- Learn to be wise about purchasing, living with, storing and disposing of drugs. Free drugs may be available.
- Drugs and treatments do not work in a vacuum. Start to think of the food you eat, the exercise you get, rest/sleep and even proper care of your mouth as steps you can take to make treatments and drugs most effective.
- Speak with other people who are going through what you are.
- If you have underage children, tell them about your diagnosis in an age appropriate manner. Monitor their behavior. Arrange for their care in case something happens to you.
- Schedule a dental check up.
- If you want to have children, take steps to preserve your ability prior to starting chemotherapy or radiation.
- IF YOUR DIAGNOSIS IS AN ADVANCED STAGE OF CANCER OR AN UNUSUAL OR A RARE CANCER
- ONCE A TREATMENT DECISION IS MADE
Newly Diagnosed With Cancer
IF YOUR DIAGNOSIS IS AN ADVANCED STAGE OF CANCER OR AN UNUSUAL OR A RARE CANCER
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Advanced cancer is cancer that has grown beyond the organ where it first started. Sometimes cancer that has not spread is considered locally advanced if it is affecting a vital organ and cannot be removed.
If your diagnosis is an advanced stage of cancer or an unusual or a rare cancer:
- Consider getting a second opinion about your diagnosis and proposed treatment from a National Cancer Institute (NCI) certified Comprehensive Cancer Center.
- You can locate an NCI center at: https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/factsheet/FactsheetSearch.aspx?FSType=1,2
- If you can't travel to such a facility, you can have the necessary information sent by an overnight carrier or regular post. Free air transportation is available.
- Once you decide on a treatment, it can be administered by your cancer doctor close to home.
- If there are no mainstream medical treatments available, find out what new treatments are being investigated in clinical trials.Clinical trials are cutting edge medicine. If there are no promising treatments in the United States, research whether there are useful treatments abroad. Learn how to spot a phony treatment.
- If you may need to stop work:
- Learn about the disability income sources to which you may be entitled. Check benefits at work. Look at the requirements for obtaining Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). You paid premiums from withholding. See if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- If you are going to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Only one third of applicants for SSDI are awarded an income. Survivorship A to Z provides easy-to-use information for applying as an educated consumer that makes it more likely to get a "yes."
- Check your employer provided life insurance and retirement plans to be sure the beneficiaries are the people you want.
- If you have health insurance through work and will continue coverage through a COBRA type law, start thinking about how to pay for the premium.
- Much of what used to be done in a hospital can now be done at home thanks to nurses and doctors (yes, doctors) who go to your home. You can hire home health aides through a service or on your own. An increasing amount of medical equipment is available for home use. Must of the cost of home care is covered by health insurance.
- Get your legal affairs in order. (We call the subject "Planning Ahead"). Please do not assume from this recommendation that we are suggesting you are going to die sometime soon. What will happen depends on many factors, including the type of cancer, your physical condition and your access to quality cancer care. However, it is better to be safe than sorry. And what we are suggesting is what we suggest to everyone - including people with no health condition. Life is fragile.
To Learn More
More Information
Home Bound 101 Home Health Care 101 Medical Research (and how to do it) Medical Research Services How To Spot A Phony Treatment Clinical Trials 101 SSI 101: An Overview COBRA 101 SSDI: Before You File Your Claim SSDI 101: An Overview (Social Security Disability Insurance) It's Never Too Early To File A SSDI Claim Planning Ahead Travel Outside The United States Travel For Survivors 101 How To Get Free Travel And Lodging For A Diagnosis Or For Treatment
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