When a doctor confirms that you have cancer, all sorts of thoughts and questions are bound to run through your head.
Was it discovered early enough? What is the survival rate? Will health insurance cover treatment costs? What happens if the cancer spreads?
Cancer is one of the scariest diagnoses imaginable, but a vast majority of cases can be treated effectively through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplants and other therapies. Throughout your cancer journey, a trusted physician and his or her team of medical professionals will become your biggest allies.
Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy beams or radiation to kill or shrink cancer cells, has become a preferred treatment option for oncologists and patients alike. It is proven effective on many types of cancers, including breast, prostate, brain, bone, colon, liver, lung and others.
Before starting radiation treatments, be sure to ask the following questions:
How do you deliver radiation treatments?
Today’s technology delivers far superior treatments compared to the turn of the century, or even a few years ago. The new Halcyon machine at Advocate Radiation Oncology, for example, delivers radiation treatments so precise that healthy tissue just a millimeter away is not damaged. Advocate’s TrueBeam linear accelerator uses image-guided stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy to treat tumors and lesions. A skilled oncologist should provide a complete radiation therapy plan that maps out the entire treatment timeline.
Are treatments painful?
Radiation treatments themselves are relatively painless, but traditionally cancer patients have felt the most discomfort in the days and weeks after treatments. Because of the aforementioned precision of modern-day radiation treatments, side effects aren’t nearly as severe as a generation ago because radiation beams focus only on dangerous cancer cells. And with fewer symptoms, many patients will enjoy an improved quality of life.
How long do treatments take?
The Halcyon machine, which is considered the most advanced radiation therapy system on the market, delivers image-guided radiation therapy up to four times faster than standard technology. This means patients spend less time undergoing treatments and more time at home focusing on their recovery. In fact, treatments often take less time than a routine annual physical. Depending on the treatment plan a radiation oncologist prescribes, treatments could last for as little as three to five days, or up to five days a week for a longer period.
Is it safe to seek treatment now?
Oncologists have always encouraged the practice of social distancing, especially as COVID-19 remains a threat to those with compromised immune systems. Compared to homes, supermarkets and restaurants, medical offices are by far the cleanest, sterile environment, so safety concerns about visiting a doctor’s office should be minimal. Your chances for a full recovery are much better if treated right away.
What is the cost?
Most major insurance companies provide strong coverage for cancer treatments. Like any type of medical treatment, cancer patients should expect to see copays and deductibles. Cancer patients can reach the “out-of-pocket maximum” through their insurance plan, at which time the insurance company covers 100% of costs. An oncologist’s billing department should handle all of the paperwork so patients can focus on their recovery, regardless of their financial situation.
Should I change my diet?
Radiation takes a toll on the human body. The negative health impacts can be minimized by consuming a healthy diet with plenty of water and foods that contain vitamins, minerals, lean protein and carbohydrates. Avoid foods high in sodium, added sugars and saturated fats.
Will exercise aid or impede recovery?
Fatigue is a common side effect of radiation treatments, but moderate exercise can offset the impact. Just 20 to 30 minutes of moderate-
intensity aerobic exercise each day can help improve a patient’s health, psychological outlook and quality of life.
Note: This article was originally published in the June 2021 issue of SWFL Health & Wellness. The monthly magazine provides information that promotes living a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle.
READ THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE: 7 questions cancer patients should ask their doctor before starting radiation treatments
About the Author
Dr. Arie Dosoretz is proud to provide top-tier patient care and significant management expertise to Advocate Radiation Oncology. He considers it critical for experts in the community to continuously stay up to date with developments in the oncology world so patients have access to the best care. He enjoys using his Spanish fluency to communicate with and fulfill the needs of the Hispanic community.
Dr. Dosoretz earned a joint MD/MBA degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the Wharton School of Business. He completed his residency at Yale University’s New Haven Hospital, Department of Therapeutic Radiology in New Haven, CT. He returned to his hometown of Fort Myers in 2015 where he has practiced as a physician and worked in clinical administration, directing physician recruitment and overseeing clinical operations and quality.
He is a widely published researcher in nationally recognized peer-reviewed journals, and is a member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He maintains a close relationship with many academic researchers including the Yale COPPER center.
Away from the medical practice, he spends time with his wife, Jane and three children, Evan, Lydia, and Naomi. He is an avid runner, and enjoys the outdoors and fly-fishing trips.
Additional Information
To learn more about Advocate Radiation Oncology, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. There, you can learn about treatment options, referrals, insurance coverage, billing and more.
Dr. Todd Pezzi first became interested in oncology at a young age after seeing cancer impact his own family. He is passionate about delivering state-of-the-art oncologic care to the residents of Southwest Florida.
Thomas J. Klein, M.D., Ph.D., FACRO is a board-certified radiation oncologist who provides world class cancer treatment in a caring community setting. He values the personal relationships he forms with each of his patients and is committed to helping them in their fight against cancer. Dr. Klein is an advocate for his patients both in and out of the clinic. He has raised awareness on news broadcasts, lobbied for cancer patients’ rights on Capitol Hill, and educated physicians around the country on making better treatment decisions for their patients.
