650.283.1414
Understanding Cancer
Understanding your disease is not just about gathering facts; it's a journey that involves connecting with your healthcare team and reaching out for the resources that can illuminate your path. By learning more about your condition—its causes, symptoms, and potential treatments—you empower yourself to take charge of your health. This journey can be daunting, but every step you take in understanding your health brings you closer to making informed, heartfelt choices for your care. Your well-being matters, and this knowledge is a key to navigating your path forward with confidence and hope.
Your cancer care team is dedicated to identifying the best treatment options for you. It’s essential for you to actively express your preferences and needs. This includes discussing the advantages and disadvantages of treatments, as well as practical considerations like insurance coverage, travel distances for appointments, and balancing work and childcare.
​
Engaging in these conversations empowers your team to develop a personalized treatment plan that takes into account your unique circumstances and lifestyle. Open communication ensures that your care effectively meets both your medical needs and everyday realities. Grasping the importance of these discussions will clarify your path forward. We strive to be your liaison between you and your care team.
Care Coordination
As you progress in your treatment path, dealing with multiple specialists who often do not communicate with each other or speak the same “language” may be frustrating and time-consuming. We can help you communicate with oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, primary care doctors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers, or empower you to do so comfortably and in complete privacy, allowing you to maximize the time you spend with each of them during your visits.
Ongoing Support
From the initial diagnosis through your journey, we will assist you and address your questions or concerns. You will be empowered to ask the right questions and obtain the answers you seek from your care team. As your treatment progresses and changes, we will be there to support you, helping you understand the direction your path is taking, explaining every detail, or simply being by your side.
Finding Resources
From providers to support groups, we will assist you by presenting all the resources available in your area.
Emotional Wellness
Emotional well-being is an important part of your overall care, to help you manage the emotional impact of cancer, including ways to navigate conversations and relationships with loved ones.
Education
It is important to stay informed and understand your journey through up-to-date publications and literature. We will share comprehensive cancer education materials and provide understandable resources from organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the CDC, and others. These will include fact sheets, brochures, videos, and more, covering various cancer types and stages.