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#11503 07-28-2007 09:16 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,019
Nelie Offline OP
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
OP Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,019
The New York Times has a very good article on the widely differing quality of cancer treatment depending on where you go, and some discussion that makes it clear just how hard it can be to be oyur own advocate with different doctors recommending different treatments, etc.

I didn't see this on the OCF news link (yet?) so I thought I would link it here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/health/29Cancer.html?hp

I have often said that finding my way through the different treatment recommendations and differing opinions that I got when diagnosed, let alone the confusion after treatment about diagnosis and treatment related to my swallowing problems was extremely hard. And I have a Ph.D., know how to find, read amd interpret the research on my own, and didn't have to have a lot of arguments with my insurer about what they would cover. And all of my doctors are/were good, educated, people themselves.

I don't know how people with less support or ability to advocate and do research for themselves do it, and I assume many don't and that's why there's data that shows, for example, that up to 30% of women who should be taking estrogen replacement drugs as a follow up to breast cancer aren't doing that (that was in the article and really shocked me).

These data show again why this forum is so important. OCF's main mission may be early diagnosis but the information you can get here about types of treatments and how other people have managed is also invaluable.

Nelie


SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
#11504 07-28-2007 11:59 AM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 211
Gold Member (200+ posts)
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Gold Member (200+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 211
Thanks for posting this! It is very helpful and I have already let several people know about this.


Sophie T.

CG to husband: SCC Stage 4, T4, N1, M0; non-smoker and very light social drinker; HPV+
induction chemo begun 7/07; chemo/radiation ended 10/10, first cat scan clear; scan on 5/9/08 clear, scan on 10/08 clear; scan 1/09 clear; scan 1/10 clear; passed away July 2, 2016

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