When it comes to our health, we can’t afford to take any chances or cut any corners, regardless of how fit and healthy we may consider ourselves to be.
Cancer for example, is a disease which does not discriminate, and which does not care how old you are, your gender, your size, your fitness levels, your personal circumstances, or anything else. None of us are immune to cancer and when you consider the fact that 1 in 2 people will suffer from cancer in their lifetime, this highlights the importance of fighting this potentially deadly disease.
There are many different types of cancer, yet lung cancer is one of the more common which is why it pays to know the lung cancer symptoms in advance, and to familiarize ourselves with lung cancer staging.
No doubt you will be scared upon being diagnosed, but the good news is that there are many lung cancer treatment options currently available, and that the lung cancer survival rate is now higher than ever.
It is important to act quickly and seek medical attention and treatment upon receiving a diagnosis, which is why it is vital that you find the right countries and hospitals to consider for lung cancer treatment.
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is a mass of abnormal cells that have mutated to grow out of control and which starts in the lungs. It is one of the most common forms of cancer. Your lungs are located in your chest on the left and right sides and are spongy organs which are responsible for taking in oxygen when we inhale and expelling carbon dioxide when we exhale.
Lung cancer is actually the leading cause of all cancer deaths worldwide, which is why we need to ensure that we receive the right care and treatment for our lung cancer as soon as possible.
Understanding lung cancer staging is also very important, this is a test carried out after a diagnosis to determine precisely how far throughout the body the cancer has spread, if at all. This enables doctors to plan out the next steps regarding treatments and procedures.
The two primary types of lung cancer are: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Very simply, these terms are in reference to the overall size of the cancerous cells when examined underneath a microscope.
Lung cancer treatment options
Once a diagnosis has been performed and lung cancer staging has been carried out, the next plan of action is to decide upon your lung cancer treatment options. As mentioned, the lung cancer survival rate is increasing thanks to the many treatment options out there, but understanding each one is essential.
Popular and common lung cancer treatment options include:
Chemotherapy
This is a common cancer treatment which utilizes a number of medicines which are toxic to the cancer to shrink it and destroy it. Chemotherapy can either be administered via an IV, or as tablets.
Surgery
Sometimes surgery is the best option and is basically a surgical procedure carried out by a doctor to remove the cancerous tissue.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy has grown in popularity over the years as a key lung cancer treatment option. Here, high energy rays which are very similar to X rays are utilized to destroy the cancerous cells.
Targeted therapy
Finally, to help prevent your lung cancer spreading or advancing to something such as lung cancer icd10, targeted therapy can be used. This uses drugs and medicines in tablet or IV form which basically blocks the spread and growth of the cancer.
Choosing a lung cancer treatment center and doctor
Okay, so now that we have familiarized ourselves with the basics behind lung cancer, it is time to decide upon a lung cancer treatment center and doctor.
Choosing the right hospital, and indeed the right country, to receive quality lung cancer treatment and care is not as easy as you may have thought, which is why we’ve compiled this handy list of tips for you.
Here’s a look at how to choose a lung cancer treatment center and doctor.
Decide what you require from your doctor and treatment center
First and foremost, as it is you that is receiving this care and this treatment, it’s important for you to understand exactly what it is that you require from your doctor and indeed your treatment center.
For example, do you want a doctor who will be available at unsociable hours to answer any questions you may have? Do you want a hospital nearby or do you not care about the distance as long as you get the care and treatment that you require.
Another very important consideration is to choose a doctor who happens to be a part of your health plan. This is known as a preferred provider. You will also need to ensure that they accept your health insurance and that your policy is valid.
Are you willing to travel abroad?
The simple fact of the matter is that when it comes to receiving lung cancer treatment, one of the main reasons why the lung cancer survival rate is so high is due to the fact that more and more people are willing to receive medical treatment overseas.
The number of people travelling abroad to receive medical care and treatment for conditions such as cancer has increased noticeably over the last few years so that is certainly worth considering.
If you come across a lung cancer specialist doctor and/or treatment facility that happens to be located abroad, don’t let that put you off as we could literally be talking about a high quality of life and medical care.
A great deal of people undergoing lung cancer treatment actually pack their bags and head overseas for several months to receive the care and treatment they require, and we’re very pleased to say that often these treatment strategies pay off hugely and allow patients to make a full recovery.
Pay attention to each potential candidate
When you read off the many lung cancer symptoms you are experiencing and start speaking to doctors about potentially receiving lung cancer treatment, pay attention to them.
By this, we don’t just mean listen to what they have to say, but also, pay attention to how they operate as a doctor. For example, do they go into detail when explaining lung cancer symptoms and treatment options to you, or do they just give you cliff notes and tell you very little?
Do they give you the chance to ask questions and then answer you, or do they talk over you or just waffle on without actually going into any detail or letting you air your concerns? Do you feel as if the doctor was willing to spend enough time with you to fully understand your concerns, or did they give the impression that they simply wanted to get you in and out as quickly as possible?
If there are any doubts about the doctor you are considering for your treatment, don’t be afraid to walk away and look elsewhere.
Are they board certified?
Another hugely important consideration when choosing a doctor to provide you with lung cancer treatment is to consider whether or not they are board certified.
You see, doctors that are board certified typically have received additional training in other areas, usually specialized such as oncology, which is the cancer care discipline.
Board certified doctors have received extra training and in order to maintain their certification they must also undergo additional training and education every year.
Just be aware that not every specialist out there is board certified, nor do they need to be from a legal standpoint. There are plenty of excellent doctors renowned for their abilities to fight cancer who aren’t board certified. Be that as it may however, it is still worth considering a board certified doctor.
Take a look around the hospital/treatment center
Another vital consideration for anybody looking to get their lung cancer symptoms under control and begin a lung cancer treatment plan is the hospital/treatment center where they will be undergoing their treatments.
Hospitals may save lives, but the unfortunate fact remains that they are swarming with germs and bacteria which could cause all manner of illnesses, diseases, and infections.
If you visit a hospital and you can see that it is unhygienic, it will likely be full of germs and bacteria which could cause an infection. After receiving cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, many people’s immune systems become compromised and incredibly weak. If you were to contract an infection from the hospital such as MRSA, it could potentially be fatal.
Look around the hospital/treatment center, see how clean it is, see how the staff conduct themselves, and see what kind of technology and equipment they happen to have available.