When it comes to your cancer journey, it is your own experience unique to you. While you may have many people on your team, it’s you who holds the decision-making power for your treatment. 

I know in my husband Robert’s case I felt completely overwhelmed and wished someone could explain the “big picture” to us before we dove into treatment. With hindsight, I would have done things differently. That’s why empowering patients and caregivers to seek out answers to all of their questions is so important to me, and why I founded 1104Health and the cheryl app. I want people to understand that there is no one single way to treat your cancer, and it is up to you to find the best solution or solutions for your care. 

Step 1: Understand Your Options

So let’s start at the beginning. The field of cancer treatment is called oncology, and doctors who treat cancer are oncologists. While this may seem like basic information, when you are diagnosed with cancer for the first time, everything is new. The doctor who can best help you may not be at your current hospital or even in your state. It’s important to cast a wide net when considering your options.

Overall, there are four places where oncologists generally practice. These are:

1. The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Designated Cancer Centers. These 71 sites are largely located in major metropolitan areas. For example, MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Cleveland Clinic.
2. Academic Hospitals. These institutions conduct research and teach, but are not NCI designated centers. Examples include Massachusetts General and Cedars Sinai.
3. Major Community Hospitals. These are usually in large population centers and could have affiliation with an academic institution. Examples include St. Luke’s University Health Network in Allentown PA and Avera Cancer Institute, Sioux Falls SD.
4. Independent Cancer Treatment Centers. Private practices are typically owned and operated by practicing oncologists or larger corporate entities, such as Charleston Cancer Center in South Carolina and the Texas Oncology Center in Fort Worth.

Step 2: Identify Which Care Option(s) May Be Best for You

All four types of places practice oncology and provide cancer treatment, and it is up to you how to move forward. You may weigh factors like popularity, success rates, treatment types, costs, clinical trials available, and patient recommendations. There is also not just one type of oncologist, but many different specialities therein, including medical, surgical and radiation oncologists.

Step 3: Assemble Your Care Team

Part of your job as a patient or advocate is to assemble your cancer care team. At its head will be a medical oncologist. If you’re a football fan, you can think of this person as your quarterback. The medical oncologist will devise an individual treatment plan or playbook for the patient. The rest of the team members will execute the plays. Other players include other specialists, doctors, nurse navigators, mental health specialists and insurance company case managers.  

Step 4: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If the prospect of assembling a team to help you navigate your cancer treatment sounds overwhelming, that’s because it is. That’s why 1104Health and the cheryl appwants to simplify the process for patients and advocates through democratizing access to cancer specialists, treatment options, and cutting edge clinical trials for cancer patients at their greatest time of need. For more information on getting matched with a current clinical trial, sign up or reach out today.