If you were just informed that you need cancer treatment, you might not know the steps you need to take before getting treatment. Overcoming anxiety, depression and doubtfulness about the treatment can be accomplished by preparing yourself and educating yourself. Consulting with your family and doctors can be beneficial, but preparing yourself for the upcoming treatment can result in feeling more controlled in the situation. Read on to find the six things you need to know before getting cancer treatment.
Weigh The Risks
Learning the worst-case and best-case scenarios of the treatment is a very important step before getting the treatment. Analyzing the benefits versus the risks of the treatment is an important step before the treatment. Side effects, financial costs and your overall health are all things that need to be considered.
Have A Plan
Developing a clear and concise plan with your family and doctors is an important step before getting cancer treatment. Be sure to discuss a wide variety of possible outcomes of the treatment. One of the most important things you can do before cancer treatment is having a spouse or family member take notes and give second opinions about your doctor’s recommendations.
Understand Your Options
Understanding your treatment options is valuable information to obtain before getting the actual treatment done. Sometimes the options are simple, and sometimes there are a lot of options and courses of action you can take. Understanding each option to make a more informed decision about proceeding with your cancer treatment can calm your anxiety and reduce uncertainty. Learning general information about your treatment options and researching your options deeper to be completely informed. If you have private cancer treatment, the healthcare team there might be able to spend more time thoroughly discuss your options with you.
Have A Backup Plan
Having a backup plan for your cancer treatment is just as important as having the primary plan. Devising a plan that accounts for any variable can help to relieve anxiety. Knowing that you have a backup plan as one of the top things to do before being treated for cancer.
Prepare A Treatment Bag
Preparing a tote bag full of essentials and some of your favourite things to keep you comfortable and entertained is a crucial step in preparing for your treatment. A well=packed treatment bag can make a difference in the cancer treatment experience, and the items you bring can cause you to relax more. You bring some of the following items in your treatment bag: reading materials, a stress ball, notepads, crossword puzzles and comfortable clothes.
Have A Support Buddy
The final tip to know is one of the most important, have a support buddy that you can turn through for the entire process. Make sure it’s someone you can trust and someone who is close to you. A support buddy can drive you to the treatment(s) and help you understand what is happening at each visit while also offering a second opinion. They can help to take notes at consultations and ask questions that you might not have thought of. The presence of another person can lift your spirits and relieve your anxiety leading up to the cancer treatment.
You don’t have to do it all alone; following these six steps can help to relieve anxiety and uncertainty before your cancer treatment. Staying as informed as possible, leading up to the cancer treatment will help to ease your mind and stay positive.
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