Research
In this day and time there is information everywhere and available to most people at their fingertips. When you are diagnosed with cancer, we tend to want to know what the diagnosis means, how it should be treated and what is our prognosis. Not only do you research, but family and friends will also research to find answers to all of the questions popping into everybody’s minds. The easiest way to perform research is to use the internet and use search engines like Google.
The biggest risk is becoming “Dr. Google”. If you search the internet long enough you can find that you can die from a hangnail. Remember that you would probably not want to perform research and then go and design your own 50 story skyscraper. There are reasons people obtain an education/training to become a doctor or engineer or lawyer or welder or any other occupation. Trust your oncologist/team and write down your questions for them. When you are searching the internet for information you may formulate additional questions. As you do your research document your questions. Make sure you look at reputable sites and use forums reluctantly. A lot of the people providing answers on forums are not doctors and are giving answers based on their experiences. Remember that cancer does not have any rules so what works for them may or may not work for you. Articles associated with medical centers or doctors are the best source of information. Even when you get an answer to one of your questions you should document the question and ask your oncologist/team. You will find out that a lot of your friends will also become “Dr. Google” experts and offer opinions and advice on what you should be doing. Any input is helpful and should not be discouraged but remember the source and let your oncologist/team provide you answers or clarifications if you feel you already know the answers.
There are also lots of books and pamphlets that provide information that you can obtain. The information may provide advice on diet, exercise, treatments for example. All of these sources are good, but before you start on a new diet or exercise or treatment you should contact your oncologist/team. For example, you do not want to start a new diet if it would interfere with your treatment prescribed by your oncologist/team.
One of the best ways to get answers to your questions is to send them by email or mail to your oncologist/team prior to your appointment. It is easy to go into your appointment with questions and then forget about them after you get your first answer that you do not understand. Written replies to your comments will allow you to remember the answers after you leave.