If you have been diagnosed with cancer, it is important for you and your support system to be familiar with the wide range of treatments available to you. While this can be overwhelming, talking with your doctor can help you understand the options in order to make the best, most informed decision for your cancer and your lifestyle.
Consider exploring facilities that are known as centers of excellence. These facilities have a lot of experience and use the expertise of many different departments to treat cancer. Regular tumor board meetings are held and involve caregivers from many areas—what is called“multidisciplinary—including surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists, physicists, nurses and other caregivers. This team typically meets daily or weekly to talk about each case, reviewing patient data together on a big screen. They discuss options, tumor location, risks of treatment types, and treatment planning. At the end of each tumor board meeting, the treatment approach is decided.
If radiotherapy or radiosurgery are determined to be the best treatment for your cancer, be sure to research the facility that you are considering for your treatment. Gain an understanding of each facility’s safety accreditations and their history of treating your type of cancer. Facilities with accreditations such as the seal from the American College of Radiology and/or Novalis Certified have shown that they are dedicated to the safety of their patients.
Where and how you receive your treatment is an important decision to make. Gain as much knowledge as you can about your diagnosis, treatment and treating facility to help prepare yourself.
To learn more about radiation safety, visit >> RadiologyInfo.org.
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