What to Expect
Patients who come to SCCA will benefit from leading-edge treatments, improved outcomes of therapy, and strong cancer prevention programs created from decades of research.
If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, you're probably feeling overwhelmed.
Here are three suggestions to help you face what's ahead:
1) Ask someone you trust to go with you to doctors' appointments and tests. They can provide emotional support, and help by taking notes and keeping track of questions you want to ask.
2) Know that all lung cancers are not the same. The treatment a friend or relative received may not be the best treatment for you.
3) New treatments are prolonging the lives of people with lung cancer, even though the best chance of a cure is when it's found early.
Most of all, remember to take care of yourself. Exercise and a healthy diet are especially important now. You may want to join a support group, or talk to a social worker or chaplain.
Your First Visit
People with lung cancer are seen on the fourth floor of the SCCA clinic. If you are scheduled to meet only with a surgeon, you will have that appointment at University of Washington Medical Center's Surgical Specialties clinic.
During your visit, you will meet with the specialists who may include a medical oncologist and radiation oncologist who specialize in treating people with lung cancer.
Because of our multidisciplinary team approach, we will arrange for you to see all the necessary specialists in the most efficient way, usually during the same appointment, which usually lasts more than an hour. You are encouraged to bring a friend or family member with you, to help take notes and offer emotional support.
During your appointment:
• Any tests or biopsies you have had, such as X-rays, CT scans, or PET scans, will be reviewed by your doctor or doctors.
• You will meet with your doctor, who will conduct a thorough examination.
• After the examination, your doctor will discuss your diagnosis with you, answer all of your questions, and suggest a treatment plan. You may tape this conversation if you like, to review later.
• You will leave at the end of the appointment with a treatment plan for your care.
If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, you're probably feeling overwhelmed.
Here are three suggestions to help you face what's ahead:
1) Ask someone you trust to go with you to doctors' appointments and tests. They can provide emotional support, and help by taking notes and keeping track of questions you want to ask.
2) Know that all lung cancers are not the same. The treatment a friend or relative received may not be the best treatment for you.
3) New treatments are prolonging the lives of people with lung cancer, even though the best chance of a cure is when it's found early.
Most of all, remember to take care of yourself. Exercise and a healthy diet are especially important now. You may want to join a support group, or talk to a social worker or chaplain.
Your First Visit
People with lung cancer are seen on the fourth floor of the SCCA clinic. If you are scheduled to meet only with a surgeon, you will have that appointment at University of Washington Medical Center's Surgical Specialties clinic.
During your visit, you will meet with the specialists who may include a medical oncologist and radiation oncologist who specialize in treating people with lung cancer.
Because of our multidisciplinary team approach, we will arrange for you to see all the necessary specialists in the most efficient way, usually during the same appointment, which usually lasts more than an hour. You are encouraged to bring a friend or family member with you, to help take notes and offer emotional support.
During your appointment:
• Any tests or biopsies you have had, such as X-rays, CT scans, or PET scans, will be reviewed by your doctor or doctors.
• You will meet with your doctor, who will conduct a thorough examination.
• After the examination, your doctor will discuss your diagnosis with you, answer all of your questions, and suggest a treatment plan. You may tape this conversation if you like, to review later.
• You will leave at the end of the appointment with a treatment plan for your care.