Preparing a Patient For Treatment

How can patients prepare for treatment?

As a patient, you play an important role in preparing for your cancer treatment. The following are some of the most important things to consider before treatment begins:

• Find an oncologist and treatment center.
  This step is important to everyone with cancer. Ask your general or primary care physician for a referral to an oncologist. You can also contact government and professional medical organizations, such as your state''s health department, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), or the American Medical Association (AMA)  for information on cancer specialists and treatment centers in your area.
  
  
• Get a second opinion.
  It is common for people diagnosed with cancer to ask another cancer specialist for their opinion. A second opinion can help you to be sure your diagnosis and treatment plans are most appropriate for your individual medical history and profile. Asking for a second opinion also provides more information to consider when making choices about your treatment. Often, your oncologist can help you locate another cancer specialist for a second opinion.
  
  
• Find out about your cancer treatment.
  Your cancer care team will help you understand your treatment and answer questions. It also helps to learn about the type of cancer you have, as well as your treatment options. Ask your physician where you can find more information about cancer. This Web site contains information on many cancer topics. Also, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the American Cancer Society (ACS), and other cancer- and health-related organizations provide helpful information.
  
  
• Find support when you need it.
  Cancer treatment can be a long and tiring experience. Many people with cancer need help throughout the process. Finding help from others can make your experience more successful. Support groups for people with cancer are available in many communities. Managing your emotional health, your diet, and your finances are all things patients can do to reduce the stress involved in the treatment process. Oncology nurses and social workers are excellent resources for locating appropriate support groups.

Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Programs at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago At Rush, we offer a range of standard and investigational therapies for the treatment of cancer. We have more than a dozen programs specializing in the treatment of specific cancers, including: Bone Cancer Brain Cancer Breast Cancer Colorectal Cancer Gynecological Cancers Head and Neck Cancers Hematological Malignancies (cancers of the blood and lymph system) Leukemia Lung Cancer Lymphoma Myeloma Orthopedic Cancers Prostate Cancer Radiation Oncology Skin Cancers Rush cancer programs are approved by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Only one in four hospitals that treat cancer receive this special approval. Click here to visit the home page for Cancer Programs at Rush. Cancer Screening and Prevention Cancer screening and prevention are priorities at Rush. Through genetic testing, counseling and advanced techniques for early detection, Rush helps people with a strong history of breast, ovarian, colon and other cancers. And in our state-of-the-art mammography center, we have one of the city’s finest teams of radiologists dedicated to early detection of breast cancer. Breast Imaging Center Genetic Diagnosing and Counseling Center Inherited Susceptibility to Cancer Center Skin Cancer Detection Cancer Support Programs at Rush Cancer is not only a physical ordeal, it is also an emotional one, affecting cancer patients, their family and friends. To help address the whole person, we offer a number of resources to help patients and their loved ones cope in this difficult time. For information on the cancer support programs at Rush click here. Clinical Trials Rush offers a number of clinical trials of experimental cancer treatments. Use the links below to search for studies for a particular form of cancer. If you are interested in exploring your eligibility for one of our open trials, please call (312) 942-8312. If we do not list trials for a particular type of cancer, please feel free to call us to discuss other treatment options. For information on cancer clinical trial programs at Rush click here. Find a Specialist at Rush To find a cancer specialist at Rush, click on one of the following links: Oncology Gynecologic Oncology Orthopedic Oncology Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Radiation Oncology Surgical Oncology To find specialist at Rush in other cancer-related areas, click on one of the following links: Bone Marrow Transplant General Surgery Hematology Or make an appointment with a doctor at Rush by calling our toll-free physician referral number: (888) 352-RUSH. To reach the hospital operator, call (312) 942-5000. If you have difficulty hearing, call (312) 942-2207 (TTY/TTD).

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