Treatment Objectives

What to expect from your treatment

Once you have been diagnosed with cancer, an important discussion needs to happen between you and your oncologist about the different treatment options that are available to you. While some patients may prefer not to know too much and would rather go ahead with what the oncologist recommends, others may find it helpful to prepare themselves for the journey ahead, and ask questions about the treatments that may be an option for them.

The best treatment for you will depend on a number of factors.

type of cancer

Your doctor will consider the type of cancer you have, including the grading and staging of the disease, the size and location of the tumour, and from research and experience. Your oncologist will consider the treatments or combination of treatments that are most successful in patients with similar diagnoses and prognoses to you.

age and fertility preservation

Your age will also be considered, and whether you would want your fertility to be preserved. The doctor will assess your general wellbeing and whether you have any other ailments or issues that may influence your ability to tolerate treatment.

ethical considerations

There are also ethical considerations as all patients have rights and responsibilities relating to their own health and wellbeing. This is set out in the patient's bill of rights. You have a right to information at a level that is understandable so that you are able to make informed choices.

financial considerations

Part of this may include financial considerations, as many cancer treatments can be very expensive. It is important to understand the goals of your treatment at each point in your cancer journey.

The goal of cancer treatment

It is important to understand the goals of your treatment at each point on your cancer journey.

Cure
The primary goal of treatment would be to cure or remove the disease completely, allowing you to live a normal lifespan. Cancer treatments would be given to get you into remission, which can either be partial or complete. Complete remission means all evidence of your cancer has disappeared. If remission is retained for more than 5 years, some doctors may say that you have been cured. Unfortunately this may not always be achievable for each patient.

Control
With treatment, the disease will be controlled from spreading further, minimising the signs and symptoms of the disease and prolonging life.
Comfort
Treatment may be offered with the purpose of improving comfort by relieving symptoms such as pain, nausea or constipation, and to address emotional issues in order to improve quality of life so that life can be lived to its fullest potential to the end.

Further information

Contact the central customer service centre on

[email protected] or 0860 NETCARE (0860 638 2273)

Please note that the centre operates on weekdays between 08:00 and 16:00.