New Cancer Diagnosis: A Guide For Patients and Families

Hearing the words "you have cancer" can be devastating. As a primary care physician, part of my responsibility is to deliver difficult news, and few conversations are harder than informing a patient of a cancer diagnosis. If you're reading this after receiving a cancer diagnosis from your doctor, please know that whatever you're feeling right now (shock, fear, anger, numbness, or even a strange calmness) is completely valid. These overwhelming emotions are your mind's natural response to life-changing news.

As I often remind patients in this situation, there’s no need to have everything figured out immediately. Most cancers allow time for careful planning, despite how urgent everything may feel. Your immediate priorities are simple: breathe, process, and begin gathering your team. The path ahead will become clearer as you move forward, one step at a time.

Let’s review the essential decisions and actions that you have ahead of you. While every cancer journey is unique, certain fundamental steps can help you regain a sense of control and build the support structure you need. At Solace, we understand that navigating cancer care is complex, but you don't have to face it alone.

Processing the Diagnosis and Managing Emotions

Your emotions may feel a bit unsteady right now, with your feelings changing by the minute. The National Cancer Institute emphasizes that feelings of being overwhelmed, fearful, anxious, angry, sad, guilty, and lonely are all normal responses that will continue to change throughout your journey.

Remember: there is no "right" way to feel while processing these emotions.

Managing the flood of information can feel as overwhelming as the emotions themselves. Research shows that most people experience "cancer information overload," which occurs when someone feels buried under medical terms, statistics, and well-meaning advice. As physicians, we are trained to be mindful of this, but every case presents its own complexities.

The key to managing this information overload is to control where you are seeking information. Focus on trusted sources of information, such as the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and your own medical team rather than endless internet searches. Many people find it useful to designate a trusted friend or family member as their "information manager" to help them organize what information they need to know.

Professional support can be invaluable during this time. Research shows that depression and anxiety are growing clinical priorities in cancer care, and there is an increasing need for comprehensive emotional support for cancer patients.

If you're experiencing persistent sadness, sleep disturbances, or difficulty concentrating for more than two weeks, speak to your doctor and reach out for professional help. Organizations like CancerCare offer free mental health counseling with oncology social workers who understand the unique challenges you're facing.

A Solace advocate can also help with organizing information and with connecting you to local mental health services. Always keep in mind: you don't have to face it alone.

Building Your Healthcare Team and Getting Organized

Assembling the right medical team is one of your most important early tasks. Aside from your primary care doctor, your core team will likely include a medical oncologist who will coordinate your treatment. Depending on your specific situation, your team may also include a surgical oncologist and/or a radiation oncologist. Beyond these specialists, you'll work with oncology nurses, pathologists who analyze tissue samples, and ideally, a healthcare advocate to help coordinate your care.

Come prepared with essential questions for your oncologist at your first visit:

Key Questions for Your First Oncologist Visit:

• What is my exact cancer type, stage, and location?
• What additional testing do I need, and when will those results be available?
• What are all my treatment options, and what are the goals of each treatment?
• What are the benefits, risks, and side effects of each treatment option?
• How quickly do I need to start treatment, and what happens if I delay?
• How long will treatment last, and what will recovery look like?
• What support services are available to help me through treatment?
• How will we monitor my progress and adjust treatment if needed?

Getting organized early will help you tremendously throughout your treatment. Create a system for medical records (physical or digital), and keep copies of all your test results, pathology reports, and treatment plans that your medical team provides to you.

Many patients find it helpful to maintain a list for tracking symptoms and questions between appointments. Consider recording important conversations with your doctor (if your doctor provides permission) so that you can review details later when you're less overwhelmed and have more time to process the information.

Additionally, getting a second opinion isn't just your right: it's often encouraged by oncologists themselves. Memorial Sloan Kettering research shows that one out of every three cancer patients who obtain a second opinion have treatment changes recommended, often toward less intensive approaches with better quality of life outcomes.

Most major cancer centers offer remote second opinion services, making expert consultation more accessible than ever. Your primary oncologist can help facilitate this process by sharing your medical records with your second opinion specialist.

Building Your Personal Support Network

Cancer affects not just you but everyone who cares about you, making a strong support network essential for the journey ahead. Start by identifying different types of support that you'll need for your support team.

This can include:

• Practical Support: Transportation to appointments, meal preparation, household tasks, childcare, pet care
• Emotional Support: People who listen without trying to fix everything, provide comfort during difficult days
• Informational Support: Help researching treatment options, organizing medical information, taking notes during appointments
• Communication Support: Trusted people to update family and friends according to your wishes
• Financial Support: Help navigating insurance, finding assistance programs, managing medical bills

Telling others about your diagnosis is deeply personal, and you control what information to share and with whom. Many patients find it helpful to start with one or two trusted people who can help spread the news according to your wishes.

For workplace discussions, remember that cancer, along with the side effects of cancer treatment, may qualify as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.This provides you with certain rights and accommodations in the workplace. Be direct with your supervisor about your needs and always maintain control over what colleagues know about your condition.

As mentioned previously, organizations like CancerCare can provide free mental health counseling with licensed oncology social workers. Organizations like Imerman Angels can match you with other survivors who have gone through similar experiences. Support groups, whether in-person or online through platforms like Cancer Survivors Network, can connect you with other people who truly understand what you're experiencing.

Practical and Financial Considerations

The financial impact of cancer can feel as overwhelming as the medical aspects, but numerous resources can help you. Organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition offer grants, copay assistance, and help with navigating insurance complexities. Pharmaceutical companies often have patient assistance programs that can dramatically reduce medication costs. Always ask your care team about these options.

Understanding your workplace rights is crucial for maintaining income and insurance during treatment. The Family Medical Leave Act provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave if you work for an eligible employer, while continuing your health insurance. You can use FMLA flexibly, which allows you to take time off for appointments when you need to, while also allowing you to work when you feel able. Beyond FMLA, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations like flexible scheduling or remote work options.

For insurance navigation, document everything and don't accept initial denials as final. Keep detailed records of all communications with your insurance company. If a claim is denied, request the denial in writing and file an appeal with support from your healthcare team.

Many hospitals have financial counselors who can help navigate insurance issues and identify assistance programs. An advocate from Solace can also help to coordinate all aspects of your care.

Taking Care of Yourself During Treatment

Keep in mind that in some cases, exercise can still be recommended during cancer treatment. Current guidelines emphasize that physical exercise during certain types of treatment is not only safe but beneficial, improving treatment tolerance and reducing fatigue. Talk to your doctor to determine if exercise would be recommended in your case.

If you are allowed to exercise during treatment, even taking a 20-30 minute daily walk can make a significant difference. Nutrition matters, as well. Focus on a plant-based diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Remember to stay well-hydrated on a daily basis. You can also work with a registered dietitian who understands the unique nutritional challenges during cancer treatment.

Your emotional and mental wellbeing deserve equal attention. Research strongly supports that stress reduction activities during cancer treatment can be beneficial. Techniques like meditation and yoga have been proven to reduce anxiety and insomnia.

Many cancer centers now offer integrative oncology programs. These programs offer unique treatment options, such as acupuncture for nausea and neuropathy, massage therapy for pain and anxiety, and mindfulness training for emotional regulation. These are complementary approaches that work alongside conventional medicine to support your entire mind and body.

How a Solace Advocate Can Help

A Solace advocate serves as your personal guide through the healthcare system's complexities, providing the consistent support that the fragmented system often lacks.

How a Solace Advocate Helps with Care Coordination:

• Schedule and coordinate appointments with multiple specialists
• Organize and transfer medical records between providers
• Ensure all doctors communicate and stay informed about your care
• Attend appointments virtually to help ask questions and take notes
• Translate complex medical information into understandable terms
• Manage insurance pre-authorizations and appeals
• Track test results and follow-up requirements

Practical and Emotional Support Services:

• Connect you with financial assistance programs and resources
• Help navigate workplace accommodations and disability benefits
• Coordinate transportation, home care, and support services
• Provide emotional support and coaching throughout your journey
• Serve as your consistent advocate when you feel overwhelmed
• Help family members understand their role and manage their stress

Remember That You’re Not Doing This Alone

Facing cancer is one of life's most difficult challenges, but you don't have to navigate it alone. The days ahead will bring difficult decisions and overwhelming moments, but they will also bring unexpected strength and profound connections. Trust yourself to make the right choices for your situation. Remember that seeking help is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.

Every small step forward matters. You have more resources and support available than you might realize. When you are ready, reach out for the help that you deserve. Your journey is unique, but you don't have to walk it alone.