The Disease
Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States. Although progress has meant that survival rates are improving, instances of the disease have actually increased over past decades. About 53,200 Americans are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year, and the disease is responsible for over 12,000 deaths annually.
My Take
As a disease, bladder cancer is viewed as being more complex because, unlike some other cancers, there are multiple aspects of this disease, creating specific points where an individualized treatment processes can and should be considered. It is my job as your Urologic Oncologist to fully explain these aspects and to foster an understanding of the points, create your Total Picture and determine where your treatment can be individualized.
Informational Overload
With so much information available from so many sources, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by questions about cancer and your treatment. It’s imperative that you bring questions and concerns to our team-even if you feel as though you should already know the answers.
My Take
To put it another way, no question or concern you may have about the disease or your treatment is out of place, or “stupid”. We need your peak performance as a member of the team. The mental space and effort taken up by having unanswered questions or unresolved issues detracts from that peak performance. By getting answers to your questions, you can become a more active participant in your care.
Your First Post-Diagnosis Doctor’s Appointment
Before your first appointment, you should compile a list of questions for your doctor. The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute offer useful tools to help you organize your thoughts and questions before your visit. You may want to ask a family member or friend to join you when you talk to the doctor. This person can provide emotional support and help you remember what is said during the visit. To help remember what your doctor says, take notes, ask your accompanying family member or friend to do so.