Before exploring treatment options for cancer, establish some ground rules.
You'll be more comfortable with any cancer treatment decisions you make if you:
Decide how much you want to know. While most people want to know exactly what their treatment is and their survival chances, others don't. If you don't want to know all the details, let your doctor know, and you and your doctor can devise a strategy that's appropriate for you.
Decide how you'll want to make your treatment decisions. You might want to gather all the information you can and take the lead in the decision-making process. Or you might want to turn all decisions over to your doctor. You might also be somewhere in the middle, sharing the decision process with your doctor.
Have realistic expectations. Your doctor can give you estimates about what you can expect to get from each type of treatment. But what you do with these estimates is up to you. Exactly what side effects you may be willing to put up with will depend on what the benefits of the treatment are likely to be.
Communicate your preferences with your doctor.
Keep the focus on you. Don't let anyone pressure you into a particular treatment option. Pick what you feel most comfortable with.
Accept help. You'll need support throughout your treatment. Support can come from your doctor, your friends and your family. If you don't feel supported in your decision making, contact groups such as the American Cancer Society, which can put you in contact with cancer survivors who can help support you through this process. It might help to write down your expectations and preferences before you meet with your doctor. That might help you better express your hopes for and feelings about your cancer treatment.
