Cancer Detection (cont.)
What does the future hold for cancer patients?
Researchers are finding better ways to detect and treat
cancer, and the
chance of recovery keeps improving. Still, it is natural for
patients to
be concerned about their future.
Sometimes patients use statistics to try to figure out their
chance of
being cured or how long they will live. It is important to
remember,
however, that statistics are averages based on large numbers of
patients.
They cannot be used to predict what will happen to a particular
patient
because no two patients are alike. The doctor who takes care of
the
patient is in the best position to discuss the chance of
recovery
(prognosis). Patients should feel free to ask the doctor about
their
prognosis, but they should keep in mind that not even the
doctor knows
exactly what will happen. Doctors often talk about surviving
cancer, or
they may use the term remission rather than cure. Even though
many cancer
patients can be cured, doctors use these terms because the
disease can
recur.
What resources are available to patients with cancer and
their
families?
Information about cancer is available from many sources,
including the
ones listed below. You may wish to check for additional
information at
your local library or bookstore and from support groups in your
community.
CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE (CIS)
1-800-4-CANCER
The Cancer Information Service, a program of the National
Cancer
Institute, is a nationwide telephone service for cancer
patients, their
families and friends, the public, and health care
professionals. The staff
can answer questions in English and Spanish and can send
booklets about
cancer. They also know about local resources and services. One
toll-free
number, 1-800-4- CANCER (1-800-422-6237), connects callers with
the office
that serves their area.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY (ACS)
1599 Clifton Road, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30329
1-800-ACS-2345
The American Cancer Society is a voluntary organization with a
national
office and local units all over the country. It supports
research,
conducts educational programs, and offers many services to
patients and
their families. To obtain free booklets about services and
activities in
local areas, call the Society's toll-free number, 1-800-ACS-2345
(1-800-227-2345), or the number listed under "American
Cancer Society"
in the white pages of the telephone book.
Last Editorial Review: 4/23/2002
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