Patient Empowerment

Cancer may have entered a person’s life, but it doesn’t mean that person has to let it take over. Although life has changed, a cancer patient is still the same person … still the unique, whole individual he/she has always been. A person is still living, breathing and surviving. So, help the patient see and remember this. Through empowerment, cancer patients can create a new and meaningful life for themselves.

As someone ministering to cancer patients and their families, you can talk to them about becoming empowered. Becoming an empowered cancer survivor means taking an active role in cancer care. It means taking back the power cancer has tried to take away. It means the cancer patient needs to become his/her own advocate for health and life.

This may seem daunting to some cancer patients and a task they don’t feel up to taking on. But it doesn’t have to be insurmountable. And it doesn’t mean patients have to assume the responsibility for cancer care by themselves. Each one can define empowerment in his/her own way.

For example, patient empowerment can be as simple as asking the doctor questions and being part of the decision-making process. It can mean recruiting others, such as family and friends, to help sort through all the information. It can mean gaining support and encouragement from other cancer survivors or even supporting a cause or policy regarding cancer.

Empowerment during cancer care may help patients in some of the following ways:

• Feel more in control of their life.
• Make informed decisions about care.
• Find treatment options suitable for each individual.
• Build confidence to face the challenges ahead.
• Sustain relationships with others.
• Feel hopeful rather than helpless.

Tips for Empowering Cancer Patients in Daily Life

To help a cancer patient you minister to feel empowered, you can suggest the following:

Remember your individuality. Don’t dwell on statistics. Cancer affects each person differently. Cancer can affect even people who have the same cacner type differently. Your personal values and goals will also influence which treatments will be best for you.

Educate yourself. You’re in charge of your health. Learn as much as you can to feel comfortable about your diagnosis and treatment plan. The more you know, the more confident you may feel about your choices.

Focus on healing. Sometimes people living with cancer feel like a victim. Try to let go of these feelings so you can begin to move on. Focus all your anger, disappointment and frustration into fighting cancer and enjoying life.

Be proactive. Your doctor can tell you what changes you should anticipate during treatment. If hair loss is a possible side effect, find an image specialist to help you feel more comfortable with your appearance. Prepare yourself now so you’ll be able to cope better later.

Establish a support system. Staying connected with others can be empowering in itself. A network of friends, family, community members and other people living with cancer can be an essential source of support and encouragement at this time.

Communicate your feelings. Share your thoughts and feelings with friends, family and care providers. You may feel frustrated if others withhold information from you, or if people expect you to be positive all the time. By expressing your feelings, you can all gain strength from each other.

Anticipate reactions from others. Some people around you may withdraw or distance themselves from you for rear of saying the wrong thing. Others may have questions and concerns. Determine how you will deal with these situations so you’re comfortable with the outcome.

Try to maintain your normal lifestyle. Staying involved in work and leisure activities may help you feel more in control and less off-balance. You will still need to be open to adjusting your daily routine as necessary, but try to maintain your normal lifestyle as much as possible.

Accept help. Enlisting the help of others may help take some of the burden off you. It’s also a way to maintain social ties and reduce a sense of isolation. Let friends and family help with errands, household chores, accompanying you to appointments, etc.

Take care of yourself. Eating a healthy diet, getting enough rest and exercising, when recommended by your doctor, can be empowering. Caring for your overall health may give you more energy and help reduce the stress of cancer and its treatment.

Develop your own coping strategies. What comforted you through difficult times before cancer may help ease your worries now. Talking to a close friend, counselor or religious leader may help. You could also try new coping strategies (i.e., relaxation techniques, keeping a journal, participating in a new activity or hobby).

Join the fight against cancer. Many cancer survivors feel more empowered when they get involved in the fight against cancer. You may decide to volunteer for fundraising events with your local cancer society, participate in cancer walks and/or become a cancer advocate by supporting a case, idea or policy.

Tips for Empowerment During Cancer Treatment

When the cancer patient you minister to is undergoing treatment, here are some additional tips to suggest for empowerment:

Find experts in cancer. You should be comfortable with, and confident in, your care. Choose a provider/hospital/cancer facility that suits you best. Some hospitals treat cancer exclusively. This might be something you prefer. If you’re seeing several different providers, make sure your care is coordinated properly.

Understand your rights. You’re entitled to certain rights from your hospital and doctors. This includes the right to make decisions about your treatment, obtain relevant, current and understandable information and receive care that is respectful and considerate.

Research your treatment options. Learn about the cancer type you have, its stage and your treatment options. Ask your doctor about patient education materials and resources. Compare the benefits and risks of the different cancer treatments to decide which treatments are best for you.

Explore complementary therapies. Ask about and take advantage of other services to supplement your cancer treatment, such as nutrition therapy, rehabilitation, counseling and spiritual support. Make sure your doctor is monitoring any complementary therapies you’re using.

Expect the best. Make sure you get answers to your questions an the attention you deserve. Your care providers should communicate regularly with each other and you about your treatment plan. It also helps to find a cancer facility where all your care is handled in one place.

It’s okay to get a second opinion. Don’t be afraid of offending your doctor if you would like to get a second opinion. Most doctors understand the need for a second opinion when facing a major decision. Your doctor might even recommend it to help you explore your options.

Prepare ahead. Your doctor can give you an idea about what to expect from cancer treatment, including possible side effects and how to manage them. Think about how the treatment will affect your everyday life, including work and family.

Set reasonable goals. Set regular goals for yourself, no matter how small. For instance, your goal one day could be to walk five more minutes than the day before. Don’t try to push yourself too hard though. Listen to your body for cues about how much you can handle.

Become involved in your treatment plan. Being involved in your treatment plan may give you a greater sense of control and help you feel more confident as you begin treatment. It is up to you to decide how involved you would like to be in decision-making and what you want out of treatment.

Maintain open communication with your doctor. Communication with your doctor is essential. You want to make sure you’re getting the information and advice you need to make informed decisions. You also want to keep your doctor informed about how you are feeling and any new symptoms you may be experiencing.

Note: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to making decisions about your treatment.

Communicating with the Doctor

Cancer patients may feel awkward or hesitate to ask questions or express their concerns to their doctor. They may also find it difficult to comprehend the information they receive. It’s important they communicate with their doctor so they can feel good about their treatment and empowered during their care.

The following are suggestions to make to cancer patients for effective communication with their doctor:

• Decide how much information you want to know and make your doctor aware of it. Many people who are fully informed about their disease and treatment options tend to feel more empowered. However, you may feel overwhelmed by too much information and details and would rather leave most decisions to your doctor or a family member.
• Keep a record of your medical history, medications and daily routine. Write down your symptoms and any issues you want to discuss with your doctor (i.e., difficulty sleeping, nausea, headaches, depression, etc.) The more your doctor knows about your situation, the better he/she can help you.
• Ask questions. It helps to make a list of your questions ahead of time. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re having difficulty understanding an explanation, description or unfamiliar medical terms. Each person’s needs are unique, and your questions may change at different points throughout your care.
• Take notes or ask your doctor if you can tape record the discussion for later review. You can also bring someone with you to the appointment, such as a family member or friend who can offer feedback.
• Ask your doctor what you can expect from treatment (i.e., possible side effects), how often you will have to undergo treatment, as well as the risks and benefits of the treatment. Find out what signs to look out for that your doctor should know about and what will be involved in recovery.
• Make sure you understand the next step of your care before leaving the doctor’s office. Ask if there is written information or educational materials (i.e., books, pamphlets, videos, etc.) that you can take home with you. Ask for referrals to psychological, financial, and/or spiritual support resources. Find out when is the best time to call if you have questions.