Stomach Cancer (cont.)
Treatment
Many people with stomach cancer want to take an active part in making
decisions about their medical care. It is natural to want to learn all you can
about the disease and your treatment choices. However, shock and stress after
the diagnosis can make it hard to think of everything you want to ask your
doctor. It often helps to make a list of questions before an appointment.
To help remember what the doctor says, you may take notes or ask whether you
may use a tape recorder. You may also want to have a family member or friend
with you when you talk to the doctor—to take part in the discussion, to take
notes, or just to listen.
You do not need to ask all your questions at once. You will have other
chances to ask your doctor or nurse to explain things that are not clear and to
ask for more details.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who has experience treating stomach
cancer, or you may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat stomach cancer
include gastroenterologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation
oncologists.
Getting a second opinion
Before starting treatment, you might want a second opinion about your
diagnosis and treatment plan. Many insurance companies cover a second opinion if
you or your doctor requests it. It may take some time and effort to gather
medical records and arrange to see another doctor. Usually it is not a problem
to take several weeks to get a second opinion. In most cases, the delay in
starting treatment will not make treatment less effective. To make sure, you
should discuss this delay with your doctor. Sometimes people with stomach cancer
need treatment right away.
There are a number of ways to find a doctor for a second opinion:
- Your doctor may refer you to one or more specialists. At cancer centers,
several specialists often work together as a team.
- NCI's Cancer Information
Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER, can tell you about nearby treatment centers.
Information Specialists also can assist you online through LiveHelp at http://www.cancer.gov/cis.
- A local or state medical society, a nearby hospital, or a medical school can
usually provide the names of specialists.
- The American Board of Medical
Specialties (ABMS) has a list of doctors who have had training and passed exams
in their specialty. You can find this list in the Official ABMS Directory of
Board Certified Medical Specialists. The Directory is in most public libraries.
Also, ABMS offers this information at http://www.abms.org. (Click on "Who's
Certified.")
- NCI provides a helpful fact sheet called "How To Find a Doctor or
Treatment Facility If You Have Cancer."
Next: Treatment methods »
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