Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.
Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/197379
SPECIAL FEATURE ANOTHER BENEFIT OF BUILDING A CANCER VOCABULARY, ACCORDING TO GOODWIN, IS THE FACT THAT IT HELPS PATIENTS BECOME MORE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THEIR OWN CARE. step in beginning treatment because a good grasp of terminology helps put patients on the right track with regard to following the treatment plan and taking control of fear and uncertainty. "The biggest thing that I think building a cancer vocabulary does is decrease confusion and ease anxiety," Goodwin explains. "The more patients understand the importance of the plan, the more likely they are to stick to it and follow through." Another beneft of building a cancer vocabulary, according to Goodwin, is the fact that it helps patients become more directly involved in their own care. "I feel like it does make them feel more a part of their whole plan," she explains. "Patients feel like they're being talked to—they can actually have a meaningful conversation with providers and not feel embarrassed because they don't understand what's being discussed." This well-informed exchange, in which patients understand terminology, also helps providers perform their jobs more effectively. "The more patients understand and can communicate," Goodwin says, "the better they can communicate issues back to their care team." For Colleen building a cancer vocabulary has been highly valuable, and she encourages other patients to become similarly informed. "The more you know 12 cancer fighters thrive | winter 2013 EVEN FOR DOCTORS, BUILDING A CANCER VOCABULARY CAN BE A CHALLENGE Don't be hard on yourself if you are just starting to build your cancer vocabulary. The terminology is so specifc that even some doctors (those who don't specialize in oncology) must educate themselves before working with cancer patients. Jefrey Weber, MD, Director of Gastroenterology and Metabolism at CTCA in Goodyear, Arizona, had not worked with patients in cancer treatment before joining the CTCA team. As a gastroenterologist, Dr. Weber had not previously discussed many cancer terms with his patients. "I had to learn the entire vocabulary myself when I got [to CTCA]," he says—a challenge, especially because colleagues and patients assumed that as a physician he was more familiar with the terminology. As a medical professional with frsthand knowledge of the vocabularylearning process, Dr. Weber is sympathetic to the challenge a newly diagnosed patient faces: "The fear of the unknown is very powerful." Education, he says, is an efective way to address that fear: "We make it a point at CTCA to educate our patients so that they understand what's going on, that they have choices." The vocabulary-learning process, he explains, is an important part of giving patients the best possible outcomes and quality of life, as patients become better prepared to participate in decision making and feel more in control of their future. "I think the most valuable thing is being able to communicate with the physicians, nurses and care managers," he explains. Dr. Weber says that, even for a doctor, there is a lot to understand about oncology; he calls it "a very cerebral form of medicine." In his education he says that patients have been great teachers: "They've been instrumental in teaching me," which has been particularly valuable because he has learned frsthand the terms that really matter to the patients—vocabulary that has been especially helpful throughout their experiences. Like Goodwin and Colleen, Dr. Weber says that two approaches are especially important when building your cancer vocabulary: asking questions and bringing a friend to help you record the information. cfthrive.com