Making the Best Treatment Decision for You

Dana Nolan, MS LMHCLicensed Mental Health Counselor

Decisions, Decisions…

Mesothelioma patients may be offered more than one option from their oncologist when they are diagnosed.

Options are great. Options can be overwhelming, too! Some patients feel stressed and anxious when

considering what to do.

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Finding Your Own Way

There is no “right” answer for everyone. All mesothelioma patients are very different in terms of their disease and what is important to them.

The first step to making the right treatment decision for you is “understanding.”

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Understanding Your Disease

What type of mesothelioma do you have? Where is your disease exactly? If you have pleural mesothelioma, your disease

can be staged with the traditional staging method using stage I, II, III or IV.

Depending on the spread of disease, your cancer may be described as resectable (able to be removed) or unresectable.

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Understanding Your Treatment Options

You may be offered one or more of the following treatment options: Surgery Radiation Therapy Chemotherapy

Either one drug or a combination Biological Therapy Active Surveillance (also called

watchful waiting)

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Understanding YOU

Once you understand your disease and your treatment options very well, then it is important to understand YOU!

There are many questions to consider and discuss with your loved ones.

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Personal Considerations

What are your treatment goals? How do you define your quality

of life? Who is in your life to help you

emotionally? Practically? Financially?

What are your strengths and resources?

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Physical Considerations How is your overall health or

performance status? Heart disease, diabetes, breathing

problems, mobility issues, energy level other diagnoses?

It is important to consider how a particular mesothelioma treatment option would be tolerated in conjunction with your other health issues.

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Personal Considerations

Quality of Life: Subjective concept that is broad and multidimensional. Varies from person-to-person and encompasses

factors such as functional status, social support, financial well-being, freedom from pain (physical and emotional), etc.

Only the patient can define and asses their quality of life in relation to how they are coping with mesothelioma.

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What Is Life Worth Living? Each time your oncologist offers

a treatment option, it is important to weigh the expected benefit of treatment with the risks and side effects of treatment.

Keep track of your energy, pain levels and other side effects to help patients and physicians evaluate how much the treatment is impacting quality of life.

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Loved Ones

At times, loved ones may have different opinions about what treatments the patient should have.

When the patient and their loved ones do not agree on treatment decisions, it can lead to relationship strain.

Ultimately, the patient is in charge of their body and treatment decisions.

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Resources About Treatment Decisions

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfortreatment/treatmentdecisiontoolsandworksheets/treatment-decision-tools-and-worksheets-landing

http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/making-decisions-about-cancer-treatment

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Contact Information

1-800-615-2270

(800) 615-2270