Ask CancerCare
Every month, a featured expert will answer common questions about coping with a cancer diagnosis. Submit your own question for the chance to have it answered in this column. You can also visit the Ask CancerCare archives to read questions on wide range of other cancer-related topics our experts have recently addressed.
 June 2009This Month's Topic: Finding and Interpreting Medical Information Featured Expert: Carolyn Messner, DSW, MSW, LCSW-R, ACSW, BCD, CancerCare's Director of Education |
Q. I've just been diagnosed with cancer. How can I get information to help me make treatment decisions?
A. There is a great deal of information about cancer and cancer treatments, especially online. The challenges are how to find and evaluate information to make sure it is reliable, up to date, trustworthy and applicable to your particular diagnosis and situation. One place to start is The National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (CIS). You can contact a CIS information specialist online through a LiveHelp option; or by calling 1-800-4-CANCER.
To guide you in finding appropriate information on the Internet, keep these questions in mind:
- What is the purpose of the website? Is it educational or commercial—that is, is the site trying to sell you a product or service?
- What is the source of the information?
- Is the information evidence-based—that is, derived from scientific research?
- Does the website provide contact information for individuals who are responsible for its content?
- Are the links relevant and appropriate for the site?
Once you find information, the next challenge is how to make sense of it. Ultimately, your doctor and health care team are best able to help you interpret information. Identify someone on the health care team you are comfortable talking to. Then:
- Write down your questions before your doctor visit
- Ask questions if you don't understand what the doctor says
- Take notes and if possible, bring someone with you who can assist you
Interpreting medical tests requires that you consult with your health care team. Make sure you ask for copies of lab tests, biopsy results, X-Rays, ultrasounds, CAT and PET scans or MRIs. Schedule time with your doctor and health care team to review all test results, and their implications for your treatment and care.
CancerCare has a number of publications that offer practical tips in getting information that you can order free of charge or download directly from our website:
If You Have Just Been Diagnosed...
Doctor Can We Talk? Tips for Communicating with Your Health Care Team
Don't Be Afraid of Clinical Trials: They Could Improve the Quality of Your Care
Coping with Cancer: Tools to Help You Live
You can also talk directly to one of our professional oncology social workers by calling 1-800-813-HOPE (4673); or email info@cancercare.org.
Carolyn Messner, DSW, MSW, LCSW-R, ACSW, BCD is director of education and training at CancerCare. Dr. Messner specializes in the psychosocial impact of cancer on patients, caregivers and families; methods to design educational interventions to ameliorate the distress of cancer; and cancer in the workplace. She pioneered the use of teleconference technology to bring information and support to cancer patients, their families, employers and healthcare professionals.
Do you have a question regarding finding and interpreting medical information? We invite you to use the space below to Ask CancerCare.
Questions are submitted anonymously, and responses to selected questions will be posted on this page. Please note that not all questions can be answered, but if you would like to be contacted by a CancerCare oncology social worker regarding your specific question, please submit your name and email address.
CancerCare provides free professional support services, including counseling, education, financial assistance and practical help. Call us at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) for more information.
For questions about medical issues, please visit Cancer.net, the patient information website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Ask CancerCare Archive (questions and answers from previous months)
| Cancer Types & Specific Populations | Emotional | Medical | Practical |
