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After diagnosis

After a cancer diagnosis you’re likely to be shocked and have many questions to ask your specialist or GP. There will be a time of adjustment as your life will change in terms of work, how you feel, time you need to have off while you receive treatment and during your recovery.

Usually you will be looked after by a cancer team known as a multidisciplinary care team which specialises in the type of cancer you have. This just means they come from any different areas but they will work together when you are being treated and the team could include:

•    surgeons who are experienced in your type of cancer surgery

•    oncologists – doctors who have experience in breast cancer treatment using chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy and biological therapy

•    cancer/oncology nurses with experience in caring for cancer patients and who can provide information and support

•    radiologists who help to analyse mammograms

•    pathologists who will consult with your surgeon and specialist about the on the type and extent of the cancer.

•    Physiotherapist, counselor, dietitian, psychologist and social workers.

There are many considerations to be made in this initial stage after diagnosis which may include your family and friends and how to tell them about your condition. You can get help from your medical team with these issues or you can download a fact sheet from the Cancer Council at cancer.org.au

Your health care team will want to work with you as quickly as possible to start treatment or undergo surgery and there may be a large degree of stress involved as you reorganise yourself for treatment and consider the social, physical and financial impact on your work, family and normal routine.

It’s a good idea to take someone with you who is reliable and calm and perhaps who could act as your advocate when dealing with specialists and doctors. A cancer diagnosis can be a emotional time and you may not be able to take in all of the information or be able to deal with decision making properly then or during periods of your treatment and recovery.

Refer to HelpDomain for more information on advocates and powers of attorney

It’s reasonable to seek a second opinion from a different specialist on your condition. You can do this at any stage of your treatment if you feel you aren’t communicating well with your health team or you aren’t satisfied with the diagnosis or management of your treatment. Just remember that it may be a simple case of working with different personalities and you most probably will have a similar diagnosis and treatment schedule but it may be more comfortable with another specialist or doctor. You have to decide what works best for you.

Think seriously about organising a support network of family and friends to help you and your immediate family deal with the changes that are ahead.

It’s also very important to read up on your condition and keep a list of questions to ask your medical team so you know what is happening and what they are discussing. This way you can have a say in treatments, discuss timing and understand your options.