Should Cancer Patients Do Their Own Cancer Related Research

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In my opinion cancer patients can and should do their own cancer related research. I strongly feel that people who are suffering from cancer and are (as long as) physically capable of doing it should go ahead and gather as much information as they can. It could be related to both; finding out about new treatment options or doing away with the old time or obsolete treatment options.

The knowledge thus acquired will help the cancer patients understand their situation better. They will get a better and a more realistic insight into the disease vis-à-vis their physical condition. There are both disadvantages as well as advantages of doing your own cancer related researches are many.

The first advantage is that the knowledge gained on your own can help you understand the type of cancer you are suffering from better and can even save your life or improve quality of life. Of course you have a doctor who is looking after your case. But remember like you’ve just heard the word case. You are a mere case as far as your doctor is concerned and he many have many such cases at hand. And with probably each one of these cases he has to deal with differently.

When I say this I hardly want to mean that they are careless or casual or do not treat you like you deserve to be treated and looked after. All I am trying to tell you is that your doctor may not have enough time to spare to learn about each and every new development and technological advances which are happening in all the types of cancer cases he is handling. And it actually makes more sense for you to research your own cancer type and discuss it with your doctor when such a need or doubt arises. You as a patient have to find out only about one particular type of cancer, which is simpler than it is for doctor to know about every type.

This same advantage can be seen in different and adverse light altogether. This knowledge may be intimidating, confusing and can come in the way of doctor’s treatment. Your asking too many questions (sometimes uncalled for) to the doctor after reading and researching cancer may not always be a welcome idea. Again during your own research you may come across a doctor who is an expert in treating the type of cancer you or your loved one has been diagnosed with.

When you research you understand about the treatments and symptoms better and dealing with cancer at emotional level becomes far easier. You are in better control of situation. Research and knowledge gives you confidence. You make informed decision- without feeling helpless.

Again the flip side of it says your decisions though informed can be wrong because cancer is what you or your loved one is suffering from. It is not a subject you can claim authority on. You may spend endless hours researching but ultimately realize what your doctor is saying is right. There may really not be a better treatment option or quality of life that you are experiencing already. Therefore this research can result into waste of time as well as confusing.

There are advantages and disadvantages. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to do some research or leave everything to the doctor. It’s a call that you have to take. In your comfort and confidence lies the key to how positively you take the treatment and deal with the disease. The more positive you are, the better you will respond to the treatment and your quality of life will thus be better.