I've been diagnosed with cancer. Now what?
Your team of experts at Southwest Hematology Oncology will work with you to determine the best course of treatment, which may include one or more of the following:
Surgery
With surgery, the cancer and some adjacent tissue are typically removed. Information gained during surgery can also be useful in predicting the likelihood of cancer recurrence and whether other treatments will be necessary.
Chemotherapy
More than half of all people diagnosed with cancer receive chemotherapy, which is any treatment involving the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. These drugs can be administered through a vein, injected into a body cavity, or delivered orally in the form of a pill. Many side effects once associated with chemotherapy are now easily prevented or controlled, allowing many people to work, travel, and participate in many of their other normal activities while receiving chemotherapy. Your doctor or nurse practitioner will help you manage side effects.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, uses high-energy rays to damage or kill cancer cells. Similar to surgery, radiation therapy is a local treatment used to eliminate or eradicate visible tumors. External radiation delivers high-energy rays directly to the tumor site from a machine outside the body. Internal radiation, or brachytherapy, involves the implantation of a small amount of radioactive material in or near the cancer.
Hormonal Therapy
Drugs that block hormone production or change the way hormones work, and/or the removal of organs (such as the ovaries or testes) that secrete hormones, are ways of fighting certain cancers.
Lifestyle Changes
Proper diet, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle habits can be important elements of effective cancer treatment.
Setting Up Your Appointment
The next step is to make an appointment with us:
- To begin, please confirm that we accept your health insurance.
- If so, please make an appointment with us by calling (602) 494-6800.
- In preparation for your appointment...
- Please collect all films you have and bring them with you for your visit. Films include chest x-rays, CAT scans, bone scans, PET scans, or any other radiology information
- Be sure that all medical records are in our office prior to your appointment.
- Be sure to bring your insurance card.
- Be sure to bring a list of medications you’re taking.
- Be sure to bring a list of physicians you’re seeing.
- If possible, fill out the following paperwork at home by printing each document and then handwriting your information:
Patient Registration Form
This form includes your general information like phone numbers, addresses, and insurance.
- Medvoice Form
This form authorizes us to enroll you in our automated system for retreiving lab results.
- Notice of Privacy Practices
This form explains our policies with regard to your privacy.
- Medical History Form
This form helps us understand your medical history to date.
- Scheduling Form
This form facilitates the scheduling of any additional testing your doctor may request.
- If you prefer to fill out your paperwork at our office, we recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time. Alternatively, if you fill out the above paperwork in advance, we recommend arriving 5 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
More Information
We've prepared detailed information on almost every type of cancer in our Patient Library and encourage you to learn more.
