How to Get the Very Best Cancer Care

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the patient of today should input to the board especially since we are the focal point of an investigation . with a rwo year college degree and a basic researcher do not sell us short

harry coombs of NC 7:01AM April 06, 2013

I am in remission now after four years of chemo and two operations... I am archiving information about my experiences in this including hospital issues, insurance, etc. at http://shareourtips.com/cancer.html
Please share your experience and tips as well

Andrew Mallon of NY 9:51AM April 02, 2011

If you have insurance...

J of TX 10:45PM March 05, 2011

Alcohol increases your risk of breast cancer! Take a look: http://www.breasthealthandhealing.com/media/

Vera of NY 1:44PM February 04, 2011

Go to www.gene.com, look for avastin, look for access care, they will help pay for treatment...good luck

Richard Santos of CA 11:11PM October 28, 2010

My experience with the cancer "system" resulted from a case of highly rare cancer in my mother. Things I would like to share:
-find chat groups and forums about the type of cancer involved sponsored by medical professionals and foundations. you will learn more about all aspects of the type of cancer as well as different treatment options and outcomes, and learn about experiences with various docs and places.
- talk to survivors of the same type of cancer and stage. MDAnderson and other forums will "match" you with such.
-First Doctors is an expensive consulting service run by Harvard MD's, but it can be a last resort way to find a doc or treatment
-be prepared to travel and/or send tissue samples to the docs you want help from; without these, you will not get their involvement, unfortunately
-be aware that chemo and other treatments usually preclude involvement in Clinical Trials- unfortunately, with advanced cancer, the treatment you choose is likely to be the only treament you get, so choose very carefully, even if it takes a bit more time

jch of CA 8:04AM October 24, 2010

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in january this year by the end of february she had a breast masectomy, today which is 2 months later she still has a lot of pain all around the chest area and it is very swollen still, Dr's say its normal and that its gonna take a long time for the pain and swollen to go away, is this true or is it normal?? how can we help the swollingness lower and the pain as well because anything with codine makes her vomit too much and veryy dizzy...

Isabel of CA 12:15PM April 10, 2010

I was diagonsed this past July with Pancreatic Cancer. Have gone for numerous treatments; radiation and chemo to yet no avail.
I need to seek the help and guidance of an expert, perhaps from one of our top cancer specialists. MLAnderson might be a good choice. I live alone in Sarasota, Florida and do not have the means to travel. I would need to correspond by e-mail or fax.
I am 73 years old and retired and have been very sick with all the treatments. I have had two stents placed in my body one of plastic which could not work with the Chemo (Gemsar) and then replaced with a steal one.
I do not know if my cancer is getting better and worse and if it has traveled to other organs in my body.
I need help and advice. Can someone there accommodate my desire for more information.
I can be reached by e-mail or phone or fax.
Thank You

David Schwarzenbach of FL 8:04PM January 23, 2010

my daughter has breast cancer. she keeps have'n pain in her back and lower back. they (dr's) put on pain med's for the last 1 yr. her body is so used to it. her mental state is so mean is the nicest I can say about it. my question is what pain meds can she take that will help with the pain and make her the meanest person on this earth? And I want to move back home to california, where can I take her? she's on sooner care (like medical).

Ellen Holmby of OK 6:44PM December 27, 2009

Narch 12, 2009 I hand carried a memo to my PCP and informed him that I had a gnawing sensation in my navel area, but was not taking pain pills, and asked him to check me for ulcer and pancreatic cancer. He added Amylase and Lipae to the CBC(Complete blood check). Even with 4 years college I had never heard of the two tests, nor had I ever been checked for same.
All other parameters were good except Amylse and Lipase the two enzymes of the pancreas, followed by a CAT scan which indiacted a 1.5cm mass at the opening of the pancreas, and with a needle biopsy indicated cancer.I might add prior to this diagnostic, I had no symptoms e.g., had not turned yellow jaundice, and had recently gone skiing.
My wife and I flew t MDAnderson Houston Texas to get a third opinion. The facility is number 1 in the nation for cancer. They gave a protocol to Denver for 4 sessions of Chemo.
The wife and I drove back to MDAnderson and had 26 sessions of radiation. Returning to Denver and a month later we ran another CAT scan to compare that to the one I took at MDAnderson post chemo in August.
I am plaaed to inform you that the cancer has shrnk by 40%. It is still non resectable due to its proximity to other vital organs.
Not being a medical doctor I cannot give advice, but I can state facts. One of my unabrided dictionaries says indisputable facts become truths. It is a fact that obtaining the Amylase and Lipase tests deferred death and prolonged life. I have asked the medical community to add this test at least on a sample basis to patients over 60.

John W. Epperson of CO 1:47PM December 02, 2009