When treatment ends, commonly cancer patients will be told by their treating oncologist, “Go find your new normal now” or “Start adjusting to your new normal.” Neither sounds very appealing.
As the end of one calendar year closes and a new one opens, it is common for people to make New Year’s resolutions. The majority focus on losing weight, eating a healthier diet, and exercise.
As more and more people are being diagnosed with cancer, and fewer and fewer medical students/navigators are choosing to go into the field of oncology, burnout is a risk for all of us.
I fantasize that one day my granddaughter, who just turned 7, will be the generation that will find “cancer” listed in the chapter entitled “cured diseases.” Is that possible? I hope so.
During as well as after national oncology conferences, the media releases information to consumers that tantalizes their interest in staying up to watch the late night news.
Oncology care has gotten so complicated and sophisticated in the last decade or so that we only talk about treatment and what is the next drug available for treatment and what line of therapy will the patient next be receiving.
Gone are the days that health insurance covers all of the expenses associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment. Though screening tests remain free without a deductible or co-payment, once someone has a suspicious finding, there will be out of pocket expenses to be incurred by the patient.