Engaging in Advanced Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment Decisions
How can advanced non-melanoma skin cancer patients participate in their treatment and care decisions? This animated video provides an overview of the members of your healthcare team, tips for playing an active role in your care, and reviews factors that may impact skin cancer treatment options.
Related Resources:
What Do You Need to Know About Advanced Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer? |
An Expert’s Perspective on Advanced Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Research |
Transcript:
Dr. Miller:
Hi, I’m Dr. Miller, and I am a dermatologic oncologist, which means I specialize in treating people with skin cancer. And this is my patient, Andrea, who has basal cell carcinoma, a type of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent, but this group of cancers also includes.
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- And Merkel cell cancer, among other less common types
Today, we’ll talk about who’s on your healthcare team, your role in care decisions, and the factors to consider when choosing a treatment.
Andrea:
When I was diagnosed, it was a lot to take in. But through my conversations with Dr. Miller, I quickly learned that understanding my care and treatment options is essential. And, along with Dr. Miller, I had a whole team of providers that helped coordinate my care.
Dr. Miller, can you share an overview of common members of a skin cancer care team?
Dr. Miller:
Absolutely. Your healthcare team may include:
- A dermatologist, who focuses on skin health and manages your initial diagnosis.
- An oncologist, who specializes in cancer treatment, and may guide your overall treatment plan.
- There could also be a surgeon, who performs any necessary surgical procedures.
- And a radiation oncologist, who administers radiation therapy, if needed.
- And finally, there may be additional team members, such as a nurse navigator, to help coordinate your care or a social worker to aid with support and access to resources.
I also want to add that YOU, the patient, are the central member of the healthcare team. So, let’s talk about YOUR role in your care.
Andrea:
Absolutely, as a patient, you should not be passive in your care. I always bring a list of questions to my appointments and make sure I understand the treatment options available to me. Here’s advice for being engaged in your care:
- First, ask questions: Never hesitate to talk to your healthcare team about your diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect at each stage of care.
- Next, be informed: Learn about your condition and the various therapies available. Advocacy groups, like the Patient Empowerment Network, can be very helpful.
- Always communicate openly: Share your symptoms, concerns, and preferences with your team. This helps tailor your treatment to your specific needs.
- And finally, advocate for yourself: If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. You can and should be involved in every decision about your care.
Dr. Miller:
Those are great tips, Andrea. It’s also important to understand the factors that can impact treatment options. They include:
- The type and stage of skin cancer.
- Your overall health including other medical conditions that may affect therapy.
- The treatment goals that you determined with your care team.
- You should also consider a treatment’s potential side effects. Understanding the side effects can help you weigh the risks and benefits of each option.
- And, how treatment may impact your lifestyle, including your daily life, work, hobbies, and family time.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Your healthcare team is a support system that is here to guide and to assist you every step of the way.
Andrea:
For more information and valuable resources, visit powerfulpatients.org. Thank you for joining us!