There are a range of different treatments for cancer. The most common treatments are:
The treatment offered will depend on what type of cancer a person has, what parts of the body are affected and their general state of health. There may be several options to consider and several decisions to be made. Read information on other types of treatment on our Cancerbackup site.
Ask as many questions as you want
Treatment usually begins soon after cancer is diagnosed. You can discuss all the options with your doctors and nurses and ask as many questions as you want. Sometimes no treatment is most appropriate, and doctors advise you to wait and see what happens. Make sure you are comfortable with this by asking as many questions as you need to.
Staging
As you plan your treatment, your specialist will consider the stage of the particular type of cancer you have and your general health. This is called ‘staging’. Knowing the stage of the disease will help to provide an idea of how it will develop.
Not all local hospitals can treat every type of cancer. You may be referred to a specialist cancer centre in a larger hospital for specialist facilities.
Consent form
You will be asked to sign a consent form agreeing to surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. It is important to understand the form completely. If you have any questions about it, make sure they are answered before you sign, and only sign the form if you are satisfied you know everything you want to know.
Getting support
If the effects of treatment are worrying or upsetting you, it is important to tell the staff who are treating you. They may be able to do something to help.
You may find it useful to talk to someone who has already had the treatment that is being recommended for you. This can be particularly helpful for people having surgery that involves a big physical change, such as a laryngectomy (surgery to remove the larynx, or voice box) or a colostomy (surgery to remove part of the bowel).
Ask your doctor or specialist nurse what is available in your area. There may be a cancer information and support centre at your hospital. Macmillan CancerLine on freephone 0808 808 2020 can signpost you to Cancer support groups or organisations who can put you in touch with others who have had similar experiences.
Coping with treatments
Support is important. Normal life seems to carry on regardless, while your own life is taken over by the treatment.
Going to hospital for treatment can be unsettling, and can make people feel anxious and isolated. Normal life seems to carry on regardless, while your own life is taken over by the treatment. You may feel you are losing touch with the outside world, especially if you have to stop work for a while and have inpatient treatment.
This is one reason why support is important for anyone undergoing treatment. It can come from your partner, family or friends, and even from people you don’t know very well. The nursing and other medical staff can do a lot to help you feel at ease.
Staff should also be able to put you in touch with the hospital chaplains or other religious representatives if this is something you would like. Talking to other patients can often be helpful too. There is also a range of cancer-related organisations you can contact.
Don’t be too disheartened if you don’t find the right support for you in the first place you try. Sometimes the best support can come from unexpected sources.
Need to talk to someone? We are here to help. Call Cancerline freephone on 0808 808 2020