 What
To Expect First
Waiting
For Test Results
Getting
Organized
WHAT TO
EXPECT FIRST
Your doctor will ask
about your physical condition, past medical history, and family
medical history before examining you. Each specialist that
you see may ask the same questions and examine you again to
understand your personal needs from the perspective of that
specialty.
You may see several doctors and have a variety
of diagnostic tests. Sometimes these tests will be repeated
to double-check the results or to learn if your condition
is changing. Blood tests, X rays, CAT (computerized axial
tomography) scans, MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), and
other imaging tests may help determine where the disease is
located. A biopsy, the removal of tissue or fluid for examination,
can also help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.
Several specialists may need to be consulted
to discuss your diagnosis and your treatment options. Those
specialists include:
 |
Radiologist |
|
interprets
X rays, CAT scans, MRIs, and other imaging studies. |
| |
Pathologist |
|
examines tissue
or fluid removed during a biopsy to make a diagnosis. |
| |
Surgeon |
|
performs operations
to learn the nature of disease, to cure disease, or
to
provide symptom relief. |
| |
Medical oncologist |
|
uses drugs
and hormones to cure disease or provide symptom relief. |
| |
Radiation oncologist |
|
uses X rays
and radioactive substances to cure disease or provide
symptom
relief. |
| |
Brachytherapist |
|
uses radioactive
implants to cure disease or provide symptom relief. |
WAITING
FOR TEST RESULTS
Because treatment
choices differ for various kinds of cancer, you want all of
the needed tests to be done to make an accurate diagnosis.
Depending on the complexity or rarity of the cancer, it may
take a few days or even a few weeks to make an accurate diagnosis.
Since such a short period rarely makes a difference in the
treatment or its success, try not to worry about this delay.
You may read or hear “facts” from
friends, the news media, or the Internet. Sometimes, little
if any of this information will apply to you. Cancer is more
than 100 different diseases, all of which can be present at
different body sites and in different stages of development.
It is unlikely that another person’s experience or a
particular research finding exactly applies to your illness.
Wait until you talk to your doctor before forming opinions
or making decisions. Each case is unique.
You may feel stressed, anxious, and frightened.
Friends and relatives may overwhelm you with “cancer
stories,” both good and bad. Try to surround yourself
with people whose support you find helpful.
GETTING
ORGANIZED
Have a notebook for
the names, phone numbers, and other information that you collect.
Keep this notebook with you so you can write down questions
as they come to mind. Take the notebook and a calendar with
you to all medical appointments.
Continue
to “You and Your Doctor”
|
