How Patients Can Prepare for Breast Cancer Treatment
The prospect of breast cancer treatment can leave you worried. A little preparation can go a long way toward alleviating those concerns though. Breast cancer treatment service providers encourage patients to take the following steps.
Collect Medical Records
A comprehensive medical workup is critical to the process. While the treatment team will have access to your records from other medical offices with your permission, you should never assume that they'll have everything. Collect all of the medical records you have in your possession. Make copies and provide those to the team.
It is also a good idea to make notes about any other family members who might have had cancer. Ask family members for any details about their diagnoses and treatments. This information can be invaluable in diagnosing your case and tailoring your treatment to your needs.
Know the Schedule
Breast cancer care follows a well-structured timeline in most cases. While your team will need to monitor your body's response to treatment before moving to each phase, things tend to follow the timeline closely. Ask what the timeline is. Ask the team to develop a schedule. Add the dates to a planner or calendar that you regularly use.
Ready Your Support System
Breast cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally taxing. Have your support system ready. You will likely need to rely on family members, friends, and neighbors to assist you with visits. If you're going to require in-home care, start making arrangements now.
Make sure that someone is available to assist you according to the schedule. Also, consider asking somebody to help you with small tasks. A patient who has a pet, for example, might need someone to stop by their house and feed the animal. Even if you can do most of your treatment on an outpatient basis, there will be long days.
Have Your House Prepared
Assistive technologies can make a big difference in the home. If you're going to need mobility support, make sure your house is ready. You may need to move things out of the way. Consider installing an access ramp, too. You might also want to prepare a first-floor bedroom if you live in a two-story house. If your doctor wants you to stay active during treatment, you should set aside an exercise space with appropriate equipment.
Nutrition
Nutrition is important during breast cancer treatment. Stock your kitchen with doctor-recommended foods that are easy to prepare. Keep a separate planner so you can track meals and nutrition too.
To learn more about breast cancer treatment, reach out to a provider near you.
