The decision
The decision
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You have been diagnosed with Cancer. How do you best proceed...
The anxiety
We are all afraid of being affected by cancer, because we all know someone who has not made it through the fight.
But does it have to be a fight? Could it be a task, a challenge, a dance, a condition of life or as some see it - downright a blessing instead?
And why is it so important for the established system to scare us into doing what they
believe to be the right thing?
Loss of control
When you receive a cancer diagnosis, you experience the ultimate loss of control. In principle, you get a death sentence, and you are aware that time can be a decisive factor. This entails a vulnerability in one's situation and thus in one's decision-making process.
Therefore, the established system can easily - in the best sense - completely take over the control of the treatment and thus the life of the person in question. In order to help as best as possible, our healthcare system has put together a process that, in their eyes, ensures the best treatment - as quickly as possible. From the patient’s perspective, it can be experienced as if he or she has no say in, or control over, any of the decisions made concerning their health.
Consequently, you, as a patient, may be well into the treatment process before you have the time or opportunity to reflect on what is going on.
Considerations
You will often already have had surgery and be well into chemotherapy before you have time to think:
Is this the right treatment for me? Can I live with the known side effects that most likely will come into play? Am I ready for the consequences of any late side effects? What do I value most in my life – quantity or quality?
For my own part
At one of my first consultations, the nurse told me: A cancer diagnosis brings the ultimate loss of control.
By then, I had already decided that I would not have traditional treatment other than surgery (breast preserving surgery). I had made up my mind that what the nurse told me was not going to be a reality for me. I decided to take control myself. It almost gave me a sense of joy to acknowledge that.
It is a really difficult situation you find yourself in when you think about having to make a qualified decision that involves your health, not to mention your life.
Personally, I valued quality highest for the remaining time I may have left. At the same time, I felt convinced that I would end up with all imaginable side effects and late side effects if I accepted chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
On the other hand, I happily accepted the public system's offer of surgery which I believe can ensure that you gain time.
Problems and support
However, it scared me with all the unhappy stories you can hear and read about where some cancer patients get really sick from the conventional treatment.
In my opinion, it is also an important factor which life situation you find yourself in.
I no longer have small children who depend on me. I have no one to answer to if I make a “wrong” choice. Fortunately, my husband supports me in the decision that feels right for me.
Considerations when choosing treatment
This is an incredibly difficult and personal decision that involves a number of complex considerations. You are very much aware that the choice you make can have fatal consequences. Therefore, many refrain from taking a stand and instead accept the full conventional treatment package. However, this tactic is not in itself a guarantee of a happy outcome.
Personally, I believe that it is crucial that you choose to be in control and take responsibility for your health – and that is quite a powerful feeling. It does, however, often require both courage and strength.
To be continued...
The significance of the diagnosis
Factors that may have an impact on your choice of treatment or supplementary treatment
Type and stage of the cancer
• What type of cancer it is and how advanced it is (size and demarcation of tumor)
• Is the cancer localized or has it spread to other parts of the body (are there metastases)
• What is the prognosis for survival with traditional treatment versus no treatment at all (or alternative or complementary treatment)
Treatment options
What traditional treatment options are available, e.g.: surgery, radiotherapy and
chemotherapy. What alternative or complementary treatment options are available,
e.g.: Repurposed drugs, dietary supplements, herbal medicine, diet change, healing,
and acupuncture. Further measures that can supplement the chosen treatment. What
are the advantages and disadvantages of each individual treatment option, including
side effects, effectiveness and impact on quality of life. See more under Traditional
Treatment and Alternative Treatment.
Prognosis (Predict for Breast Cancer)
Personal values and preferences
• What are your personal values and beliefs about health and well-being
• What degree of risk and uncertainty are you willing to accept (however, uncertainty is Cancer's constant companion - no matter what)
• What role do your faith, culture, spouse/cohabitant, family and other loved ones play in the decision-making process
• Do you value quality of your remaining life over quantity
Psychological and emotional management
• How do you handle the diagnosis and the emotional burden of cancer
• Do you have a strong support network of spouse/partner, family and friends
• Do you have access to psychological and emotional support to help you through treatment
Economic considerations
• What are the costs of the different treatment options and how do you cover them
• Do you have health insurance that covers certain forms of alternative cancer treatment
• Can you handle the potential loss of income or increased expenses due to the chosen treatment
There is no "right" or "wrong" answer when it comes to choosing cancer treatment. The best decision is the one based on a thorough assessment of all the relevant factors, together with your individual needs and wishes.
How are others doing
Before choosing, consider visiting some of the groups listed on the Help page. Then you will see that chemo and radiotherapy
are not always the best choice and can be extremely problematic.
To be continued...
Traditional treatment
Traditional cancer treatment is covered by the public sector and almost always includes:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy and
- Chemotherapy
This is meant to be both curative (healing) and preventive. Sometimes
chemotherapy and radiotherapy are prescribed first – with the aim of shrinking
the tumor so that surgical removal is more effective and/or more gentle.
In addition, certain types of cancer give rise to offering additional treatments, such as Immunotherapy, Hormone Therapy etc.
Effective - but no safety
These treatments are mostly fairly effective in curing or controlling cancer, but you must be aware that they can have side effects and are no guarantee that the cancer will not come back (recurrence) – in the same place or elsewhere on/in the body.
You must also be aware that there are a number of patients who get such serious side effects and late effects from traditional treatment that it makes their remaining life decidedly difficult to handle and enjoy.
Ask about the forecast with and without traditionel cancer-treatment. Then you can make a decision on a more informed basis.
Advantages of traditional cancer treatment
• Can in many situations be effective in curing or controlling cancer
• Backed by extensive scientific research
• Offered by doctors and other healthcare professionals with relevant training and experience
Disadvantages of traditional cancer treatment
• Can usually have side effects that can be anything from mild to really serious (including death)
• Can be physically and emotionally demanding (in addition to pronounced fatigue and increased susceptibility to infections, e.g. hair loss can be important for self-esteem)
To be continued...
Alternative treatment
Alternative or complementary treatment has a reputation for being frivolous.
Some of the most important treatments
Effect of alternative and complementary measures
In Denmark, alternative treatments are not covered by the public sector. But it says nothing about the effect of these treatments.
Which treatments we are offered is really a political decision. However, there is scientific evidence behind the decisions.
But this means that measures whose effect has not been subject to scientific trials (since no one has a financial interest in such) cannot therefore be considered.
It is worth noting that there is no guarantee that you will get well or avoid relapse, even for those treatments whose effect is scientifically documented. In order to strengthen one's situation, it may therefore be advantageous to combine efforts.
Communicate
If you think it is relevant for you, talk openly (if possible) with your doctor, oncologist and other health professionals about your interest in alternative treatment. Collaboration can be important to ensure a coordinated and thus optimal approach to your treatment.
Doctors' knowledge of diet and nutritional supplements
Be aware that doctors know incredibly little about diet and supplements. It is largely not part of their training, and only very few doctors themselves become interested in this area at a later stage.
The treatment instructions
You should expect that the doctor will basically recommend the treatment that the Treatment Guidelines prescribe for your cancer type and spread. (see description of this problem under the Treatment Guidelines).
You must also be aware that, due to the existence of such instructions, it will be difficult for the doctor to deviate from the official Treatment Instructions.
ICAK (Information Center for Alternative Cancer Treatment) informs
"Trygfonden and Mandag Morgen published the report Sundhedsvæsnet ifølge danskerne (Sundhedsvæsnet according to the Danes) in 2016, based on the broadest and most in-depth survey to date of the Danes' relationship with the overall healthcare system.
According to the report, almost eight out of 10 Danes would like to talk to the doctor about alternative treatment. This is in stark contrast to the reality we experience here at ICAK. Namely that many cancer sufferers have been rejected by the doctor if they have wanted to talk about alternative/complementary treatments."
See Vejle Hospital's leaflet about their views on patients' wishes for complementary treatment. Folder fra Vejle Sygehus (Leaflet from Vejle Hospital)
Remember that you are not alone in your cancer journey.
If you are considering alternativ behandling, find out if others have benefited from the same treatment. There is rarely scientific evidence for the treatment (except with Repurposed Drugs), but if many in your situation have benefited from a treatment, then there is a certain probability that the same will apply to you.
By the time you've finished reading here, the time may have come to notice. What is your body telling you? What does your intuition say? What is the best choice for you? If you have the opportunity, meditate on the question.
I am sure you will make the right choice.
You are welcome to ask clarifying questions in your own name or anonymously in this Facebook gruppe. Here, help is available from user to user.
See also the page My best advice
Links (all danish language)
Du skal ikke stå alene (Kræftens Bekæmpelse)
Risiko for ny kræft efter behandling - Tidslerne
Hvad er Alternativ kræftbehandling (ICAK, Informationscenter for Alternativ Kræftbehandling)
Senfølger efter traditionel behandling - Tidslerne
Alternativ kur reddede mit liv (TV Syd)
Tager du kosttilskud (Sygehus Lillebælt (Vejle Sygehus))
Tidslerne (fravalg af traditionel behandling)
Sundhedsvæsenet ifølge Danskerne (danskepatienter.dk)
Tidligere kræftpatient: Jeg var helt vanvittigt bange (Politiken)
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This is not a recommendation. Seek competent guidance.