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CANCER
CARE 2007: TWELVE TIPS TO SURVIVORSHIP
World Renowned Doctor Advises Cancer Patients to Get
Informed
(Kansas City) There
are no guarantees in this life, but experts agree that surviving cancer
begins with twelve life-saving steps.
Charles
M. Balch, M.D., a nationally renown oncologist, Johns Hopkins associate
and Medical Editor of the new 2007 Patient Resource cancer guide says
these twelve tips are critical steps toward cancer survivorship in the
brave new world of patient advocacy.
“I
have grown in my appreciation of active patient involvement,” says
Balch. “And that begins with a 12-step plan.”
Dr.
Balch’s twelve tips include:
- Find a survivor
advocate. Enlist the aid of a
trusted friend or family member as your personal patient advocate.
Their job is to support you throughout this journey.
- Identify a caregiver
and counselor. Connect with caring,
committed professionals who can assist you physically,
psychologically and spiritually. Your return to health includes your
whole being.
- Make yourself familiar
with necessary financial resources and insurance options. Be certain
you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to receive.
- Find a specialist.
Locate a doctor, surgeon, researcher and treatment facility that
specialize in your type of cancer.
- Investigate clinical
trial options. Patients may be
eligible to try innovative new treatments and therapies by
participating in these medically supervised studies.
- Get second opinions
on your diagnosis, treatment and even pathology. Don’t be
bashful about asking. When it comes to surviving cancer, two heads
are always better than one.
- Test your cancer cells
against recommended chemotherapy agents. Find a laboratory testing
facility to ensure you are getting the best drug therapy for your
body chemistry.
- Develop a checklist for
treatments and doctor visits.
A medical journal or diary is invaluable in keeping good records.
- Remember the importance
of positive thinking.
Picture yourself defeating cancer and returning to good health. The
mind-body wellness connection is real! Equip yourself with books,
tapes and tools to maintain a positive attitude.
- Develop a nutritional
and exercise program for
yourself both during and after treatment.
- Attend survivor forums.
Live your life and volunteer your story of cancer survivorship. It
will go a long way toward inspiring others who are beginning their
own cancer journey.
- Educate yourself and
get informed! Rely on Patient
Resource as your comprehensive
cancer guide and information tool.
Patient Resource is a new cancer
treatment guide designed to help anyone who has ever been diagnosed with
cancer and doesn’t know where to turn. This 128-page publication is
available free of charge at 6,000 doctor’s offices and oncology
clinics across the country. It features a comprehensive directory and
contact information for medical specialists, treatments, clinics,
terminology and clinical trials. It even provides patients with tips for
navigating the insurance maze and explains the importance of second and
third opinions. More importantly, it offers real-life stories of hope and
survival, something Balch believes is important for cancer patients to
focus on during treatment.
Today, millions of men, women and children are
battling cancer. Growing numbers of these are following a national trend
in self-advocacy, determined to find the cancer resources that best serve
their needs. The new Patient Resource cancer guide is unlike any other
information resource available to cancer patients today. It’s
considered to be the only single-source, user-friendly comprehensive treatment
guide available to those in need.
“I truly believe that an informed and
educated cancer patient will find a way to get the best care…..and
live better and longer,” says Balch. “I can not overemphasize
the positive impact we see when patients educate themselves about their
own cancer diagnosis.”
The new Patient Resource guide is available to
patients at their local oncology office or cancer clinic nationwide. It
can also be ordered online at www.patientresource.net.
# # #
For more information or to schedule an
interview, please email Betsy Donnelly at BDonnelly@PatientResource.net
or call 913.236.7757.
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