Download Cancer: Should I Continue Treatment?

Cancer: Should I Continue Treatment?
• What are my treatment options, and are there
side effects?
• What will happen if I choose not to treat my
cancer?
• How soon do I need to decide about
treatment?
What are clinical trials?
You may choose to take part in a clinical trial
if it becomes clear that standard treatments are
not helping. A clinical trial is a study of a new
way to treat cancer. Sometimes the trials are
done at major medical centers. Other times you
may receive treatment from your doctor.
Regardless of the stage of your cancer, be
assured that you can be as comfortable as
possible. You also can take an active role in
deciding what kind of care you want. You may
choose to have more treatment, which may mean
you'll take part in a clinical trial. Or you may
decide you don't want any more treatments
except for those aimed at pain relief, comfort,
and quality of life.
Understanding your cancer
treatment goals
Talk with your doctor and loved ones about your
cancer treatment goals and the care you want.
Likewise, expect your doctor to talk openly and
sensitively with you. Think about your treatment
goals while you are active and able to share your
wishes.
Your doctor can give you information, answer
questions, and advise you. But the decisions are
yours. There are important questions to ask your
doctor:
• Can my cancer be cured?
• Will treatment make my life longer?
Clinical trials are important to help researchers
find out if a new treatment works better and has
fewer side effects than standard treatments. On
the other hand, the new treatment might not
work as well or might cause more side effects
than standard treatments. But this is how
advancements in treatment are made. They offer
hope for the future.
Talk to your doctor and your health insurance
company if you want to take part in a clinical
trial. Your doctor can help you find out if you
meet the trial's guidelines and if there is a trial
in your area. If you are accepted into a trial, you
will have a schedule of tests, appointments, and
treatments. Find out who covers the costs.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has
information about current clinical trials. See its
website at www.clinicaltrials.gov, or call
1-888-346-3656.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care can help manage pain and other
symptoms of your cancer regardless of whether
cure is possible. Palliative care can be given
along with curative treatment, or it can be the
main focus when cure is not possible.
Palliative care can help you cope with your
feelings. It can also help with communication
among your doctors, nurses, and loved ones.
Palliative care providers understand that your
illness affects not just you, but also those you
love.
Your palliative care providers will ask questions
about how your illness affects your emotions
and spirit. Then they will try to make sure that
your medical care meets your goals for your
body, mind, and spirit.
If your doctor feels you have less than 6 months
to live, you may choose end-of-life palliative
care (hospice). This type of care helps keep you
comfortable as death nears and supports your
family. Your doctor can keep managing your
care. Family, friends, and hospice workers will
help care for you.
The U.S. National Hospice and Palliative Care
Organization offers information on hospice and
palliative care programs in your area. See its
website at www.nhpco.org, or call
1-800-658-8898.
Will you need to choose between
curative treatment and palliative
care?
If cure is possible, you can have both curative
treatment and palliative care to help keep you
comfortable. At some point, though, you may
want or need to choose between curative
treatment and end-of-life palliative care
(hospice.) You may choose to stop curative
treatment when it becomes clear that your cancer
cannot be cured.
Focusing on pain and symptom relief instead of
cure does not mean that you will not see your
doctor or get excellent care. Also, curative
treatment and treatment to prolong your life
remain options. If your health changes or new
treatments become available, you can opt for
curative treatment again.
Coping with your feelings
It is normal to have many conflicting feelings
as you face continued cancer treatment. Many
people worry about:
• Dying. Talk to your doctor about what you
can expect. Counseling may also help you
work through some of the feelings you are
facing.
• Pain. You do not need to be in pain. Let your
doctor know if you are having pain or other
symptoms. There are many medicines and
treatments to help you stay comfortable.
• Spiritual issues. Some people do not think
of spiritual matters often. For others,
spirituality is a part of daily life. Facing
cancer may cause you to confront your own
spiritual questions and issues. You may find
solace in organized religion, by exploring
nature, through community involvement, or
by working on relationships. Think about
what gives you comfort and support.
• How loved ones are coping. Encourage your
loved ones to ask for help from others and
to take care of themselves so they do not
become exhausted. There are resources to
help your loved ones. Talk to your doctor or
hospital social worker.
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of this information, which does not replace medical advice. 2014-11-tb1262