Coping When You're Newly Diagnosed with Cancer
If you're newly diagnosed with colon cancer, there’s a good chance you’re anxious and want to begin treatment immediately. But taking a little time now to consider your options will help you make the best treatment decisions you can.
What Are My Next Steps If I'm Newly Diagnosed with Cancer?
For colon cancer, it is usually not necessary to begin treatment immediately. You'll want to start treatment as soon as you can, but taking a few weeks to organize yourself is time well spent. Unless your doctor says you need to start treatment immediately, you can take a few steps to get your bearings.
Tips If You're Newly Diagnosed With Cancer
- Ask for a second opinion. Don’t worry about offending your doctor; second opinions are standard practice for cancer diagnosis and treatment. A second opinion will give you confidence that you’re following the right treatment plan for you.
- Ask a family member or friend to come with you to medical appointments and consultations. This person can take notes, ask questions, and provide much-needed moral support.
- Consider audio-taping your appointments. Most healthcare providers are happy to have you record the conversation, because they know this tool can help you manage the vast amount of information you are receiving.
- Start a folder. You can put all of the information and paperwork you receive in this folder. This will help you keep everything together in one place, for future reference.
- Give assignments. Well-intentioned friends may bombard you with “helpful” information. To minimize the random information stream, assign one friend to research clinical trial options in your area. Ask another to research a specific chemotherapy, and so forth. That way, people can help and you won’t be overwhelmed.
- Ask questions. No question is “too stupid.” Your medical team is there for you. If you're worried that you won't remember important questions for your appointment, keep a running list at home. Jot down questions as they occur to you and bring the list to your next appointment.
- Ask a nurse. If it’s hard to track down your doctor, ask for his or her nurse. Oncology nurses are skilled educators and understand cancer and its treatment well. They can answer many of your questions, and if they can’t, they’ll get the answer for you.
