Research is about education through exploration, investigation, and organization. High quality information allows you to make the best decisions for yourself. Knowledge is power. Recognize that research is a process to define and refine your education to next steps. When research feels challenging and overwhelming, step back. Learn your limits and boundaries. Focus on your research when you can. If you feel that you need to become a quick expert, slow down and know learning is a process.
1. Collect and Review Cancer and Health Related Materials
Collect educational materials and read cancer information online from sources in Top Cancer Resources. Consider asking family and friends for help in obtaining information. Start your research with learning the basics about your diagnosis, stage, location(s) of cancer, and size. Sometimes the stage of the cancer is not confirmed until a biopsy or surgery has been performed. Understanding basic cancer information about your situation allows you and/or your loved ones to better research and evaluate the full scope of treatment options. Pace yourself to avoid mental and emotional overload.
2. Use Practical Tools
Organize your research, notes, and medical records in a system that is logical for you. Use a notebook, binder, and/or files.
3. Identify Questions
Evaluate information you have about your diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and health. Determine what you know and do not know, what you understand and do not understand. Develop your questions. A comprehensive list of questions is available in Questions for Evaluating Cancer Treatments and Providers. As you learn more about your health and disease, and travel through phases of your journey, questions will evolve and new gaps in information will emerge. Keep a running list of notes with questions.
4. Consult with an Integrative Guide
An Integrative Guide has research skills to gather information about treatment options and might also serve as your advocate beyond an initial consultation. Consider finding an Integrative Guide that has expertise in cancer and tracks down cutting edge approaches. Know there is variability in the knowledge base and areas of focus between these information resources. An Integrative Guide should get to know you enough to understand your preferences and help you find quality cancer care options, cancer information, and resources. Some Integrative Guides provide body, mind, and spirit support. Learn more in Integrative Guides.
5. Research Treatments
High quality research focused on cancer treatments is essential. Research your diagnosis and treatment options toward the best possible care. Potential cancer treatments can be identified through researching providers and facilities. Research focused on cancer treatments should also be gathered through the following cancer information resources as well as in other topics throughout the EmbodiWorks website.
Top Cancer Resources
Explore information in the Top Cancer Resources section when researching cancer treatments. Quality cancer related, health and healing resources are organized by topic. For example, if you are researching conventional cancer treatments, our cancer information guides you through your investigation with many helpful resources.
Locating Relevant Cancer Research
We educate you about using a free online tool called PubMed to find published research. Our guidance also refers to other research strategies through specific journals and additional resources.
Understanding Cancer Statistics
Cancer statistics are complex and can sometimes feel harsh. Statistics never predict the fate of a single individual. We explain the scoop about the real deal with statistics.
Evidence Based Medicine
Learning about evidence based medicine helps clarify the value of studies to better inform the cancer research process. Definitions of evidence based medicine also illuminate the role of patient's values in making cancer treatment decisions.
6. Research Oncologists and Facilities
Oncologists with Expertise in your Cancer
Research oncologists with the goal of finding experts in your diagnosis. Track down this information in Top Cancer Resources. Know that treatment recommendations may vary among oncologists. Identifying several oncologists will allow you to collect multiple opinions. Oncologists monitor disease status and provide information about conventional cancer treatments. Only a limited number of oncologists practice varying degrees of integrative cancer care.
Treatment Facilities
Research facilities to learn about oncologists and cancer treatment approaches. Know that there is variability between cancer treatments that are offered and recommended by different treatment centers. Some facilities have larger or smaller departments devoted to certain types of cancer, take more or less aggressive cancer treatment approaches, use different types of equipment and cancer-related tests, and conduct different clinical trials.
Comprehensive cancer centers typically have more physicians who specialize in treating one particular kind of cancer compared to community hospitals. For certain surgical procedures on rare tumors, studies indicate hospitals that perform more of these operations have significantly better outcomes. Some studies also suggest that outcomes for surgeries are generally best at high-volume hospitals that treat a large number of cancer patients.
Integrative Departments
Treatment facilities may offer some form of integrative cancer care. Hospitals increasingly have an integrative department that may or may not be truly integrated at the medical center. Research integrative services available at treatment facilities.
Integrative Providers
Research integrative cancer care providers. Learn about the different cancer treatments offered by providers and their facilities. Identify some potential integrative cancer care providers for your health care team. These providers may be doctors including oncologists or highly trained in another discipline. People with cancer sometimes have several integrative providers with expertise in different areas. Explore Integrative Providers and Clinics.
7. Research Other Providers for your Integrative Cancer Care Team
Quality cancer care is not only about treatments for the cancer diagnosis and instead with cancer care for the whole person. Identifying a group of quality integrative providers is essential to optimally supporting health and healing for people dealing with cancer. The full spectrum of comprehensive integrative cancer care will not come from one professional and instead through a team. Remember that integrative cancer care optimally tends to you as a whole person through body, mind, and spirit, including social and environmental health. Think about what that means to you and where you need more support.
Whole Body Health Care
Even if you find an oncologist working within integrative cancer care, you will most likely need additional integrative providers with expertise in cancer to address your entire physical body. Consider integrative medicine systems such as naturopathy, functional medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and ayurveda.
Mind
Caring for your mental and emotional inner life will support your health and healing. Incorporate ways to optimize your mind-body balance and vitality. You can do this through self-care as well as working with providers. Meditation, breathing techniques, imagery, movement, creative expression, massage, biofeedback, psychological support, and other approaches can be done alone, in groups, and/or with providers.
Spirit
The spiritual dimensions of life often become more prominent when dealing with cancer. As spiritual questions surface, opportunities for new knowledge about religion and spirituality emerge. Find spiritual support within yourself and from others.
8. Assess Potential Causes of your Cancer and Overall Health Issues
Explore any available information on known or suspected causes of cancer and your diagnosis. Read content throughout the EmbodiWorks website, including Causes of Cancer and other topics in the Environmental section. Consider how the diagnosis relates to other health issues that you have dealt with and your current overall health status. Use this information to support empowered changes in your lifestyle, other health care strategies, and the development of your integrative cancer care plan.
Now go to Step 3: Seek and Search for more information.
Our most popular Resources
 Questions for Evaluating Cancer Treatments and Providers
High quality, thorough questions are essential and we provide them to empower patients and caregivers in evaluating treatments and providers.
 Maps to Integrative Cancer Care
Explore this must-read map helping cancer patients find their way. We offer guidance through a process to feel grounded, supported, educated, empowered, confident, and inspired.
 Evaluating Cancer Research and Treatments
Learning about cancer research and treatments can feel really confusing. We educate about core cancer research and treatment topics around the cancer evaluation process to help you become more informed and confident.
 Intuition and Instinct
For anyone seeking guidance, explore ways to find direction inside of yourself. Our information about intuition and instinct helps people find clarity and develop more confidence in their decision-making and journey.
|