Dealing with the Initial Diagnosis of Cancer

Part I - Cancer Industry Overview:
Part II - Initial Diagnosis of Cancer:
a. The diagnosis (making sure to get info on the specific type and staging of the cancer.....there are 30 types of ovarian cancer).
b. The importance of a second opinion.
c. Surgical vs. needle biopsy
d. The importance of "sentinel node" procedure in determining lymph node involvement as part of cancer staging.
e. A critical test if chemotherapy is a treatment option - chemosensitivity testing (must preserve live cancer tissue at time of surgery).
f. The importance of clear margins (preferably wide) if surgery option is used (get a copy of the pathology report).
g. The importance of using one of the Cancer Consulting services.
h. Checking on limitations or advanced approvals required from health insurance provider.
i. The importance of keeping a detailed medical log of dates of all doctors visits and exact procedures performed, including test results.
j. The need for another relative or friend to attend all consultations (i.e. will give another set of ears on what is said and someone to discuss therapy options with)
k. The importance of obtaining baseline readings on critical tests so that treatment options can be measured to determine if their effective.

Part III - Cancer Therapy Options:
Part IV - Nutrition for Cancer:
Part V - More Cancer Resources:
Part VI - Cancer Medical Terms:
Part VII - Survivor Characteristics:
Part VIII - Self-help Approaches:
Part IX - Testimonials of Survivors:
Part X - Forum for Patients:
Part XI - What I would do:
Part XII - Recent Developments:
Part XIII - Other Cancer Info:

Part II - Dealing with the Initial Diagnosis of Cancer

This segment contains comments on specific actions that should be considered following the diagnosis of cancer with the following objectives: 1) having confidence that the diagnosis is correct; 2) learning more about your particular type of cancer; 3) researching cancer therapy options; 4) exploring medical centers and specific physician options, and 5) creating a comprehensive battle plan. In addition, this segment includes: 1) the importance of getting a second opinion; 2) a discussion of surgical vs. needle biopsy; 3) the importance of using sentinel node procedures in determining lymph node involvement; 4) emphasis on the the critical test of chemosensitivity testing before chemo is used; 5) the importance of clear margins (i.e. no cancer cells in perimeter of removed tissue); 6) the availability of cancer consulting services; 7) the need to confirm insurance coverage, 8) the importance of keeping good records, and 9) the importance of baseline cancer test results to measure future progress.

NOTE: For more detailed information within Part II, choose any subcategories from the Navigation Menu to the left.