Frequently Asked Questions

1) What are my chances of beating this cancer?
In general, the answer to this question hinges on the type of cancer and whether it was found early enough. Some cancers are more curable then the others, even if found in more advanced stages. Still, some cancers are incurable at the outset. Nevertheless, except in few instances, early detection continues to be the key regarding the chances for a person’s recovery.

2) Was my cancer diagnosed early?
In addition to tissue biopsy and/or appropriate surgery, doctors usually order radiology scans (CT, MRI or PET scan) to identify whether cancer was found in localized or advanced stages. Cancers found in the stage called "in situ", Stage I and Stage II, are considered diagnosed early and in general have a good or better prognosis.

3) How do we know that it (cancer) didn’t spread already?
Imaging studies such as PET/CT scan, CT scans, MRI and bone scan are helpful and used to rule out the spread of cancer to other organs.

4) Will I be really sick (during the chemotherapy)?
Some chemotherapies are quite easy to tolerate, but some may cause fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation which are most frequent symptoms. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that you will get sick on the actual day of your chemotherapy due to use of modern and effective anti-nausea medicines. Even the nausea and other side-effects occurring in the days after chemotherapy are usually very manageable through the use of a variety of available supportive medications.

5) Do I lose my hair with this kind of chemotherapy?
Patients do not necessarily lose hair with every chemotherapy regimen. Some chemotherapy drugs do not affect hair at all, yet others do cause temporary baldness. The hair grows back after chemotherapy is completed and may be silky and curly. Your doctor will be able to tell you how a particular drug will affect the hair once the appropriate chemotherapy for your cancer is selected.

6) Can I continue to work while receiving chemotherapy?
Many patients who prefer to stay employed continue to work, even while receiving chemotherapy. The Family Cancer Center makes a special effort to accommodate these wishes by offering Night Clinic options. This allows patients to maintain their busy schedules and accomplish their cancer treatments in the evening hours.

7) Does my insurance pay for this (chemotherapy) treatment?
Recognized and approved standard chemotherapy regimens and supportive medications are covered by Medicare and private commercial insurance companies. When the need arises to use the treatment proved to be effective, but not yet officially approved, the staff at the Family Cancer Center will work closely with insurance companies to secure approval by providing them with all necessary data indicating the effectiveness and need for such therapy.

8) Should I stay away from my children and family while receiving treatment?
Unless a patient undergoes a stem cell transplant the answer is, “no.” Proper hand washing and common sense in avoiding acutely sick people or crowded areas during flu season usually suffice for a majority of cancer patients. Occasionally, wearing a mask and receiving booster shots for low white blood cells will be required precautions.

9) How does a doctor know if the treatments are working?
Your doctor will order tests to be performed every two to three months while you are receiving chemotherapy. This is called “restaging.” While the type of tests used to see how your cancer is responding to the treatment may differ based on cancer type, CT scans and PET scans are the most frequently used for majority of cancers. However, some cancers may require a bone marrow biopsy or just a blood work to monitor the success of your cancer treatment.