Just diagnosed with blood cancer: Healthcare Provider's Office

It is okay if you do not understand all that your healthcare team tells you right away. What is important is that you ask your doctor about the things you do not understand. If you don't feel that you can talk with your doctor, talk with a different member of your healthcare team, such as a nurse. He or she can explain by using other words or show you a picture or diagram of what he or she is talking about.

To the right are examples of organizations and resources you may find helpful. Click on the links to visit those websites and learn more.

There are many treatment options for leukemia. Your treatment will depend on many factors, such as the stage of your cancer, your age, and the type of leukemia you have. Leukemia treatment options may include:

• Watch and wait, which means you will have follow-up visits and be closely monitored by your healthcare team
• Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in one part of the body
• Chemotherapy, a type of medicine that kills cancer cells but can also harm normal cells
• Monoclonal antibodies, man-made versions of proteins that the body’s immune system makes that help the person’s own immune system find and destroy cancer cells
• Medicine that may block the growth of cancer cells
• Stem cell transplant, during which the cancer cells are replaced with new cells

Talk with your healthcare team about your treatment options. Together you can make the choice that is best for you.

To the right are examples of organizations and resources you may find helpful. Click on the links to visit those websites and learn more.

There are many treatment options for lymphoma. Your treatment will depend on many factors, such as the stage of your cancer, your age, and the type of lymphoma you have. Lymphoma treatment options may include:

• Watch and wait, which means healthcare providers keep a close eye on the cancer but do not start treatment right away
• Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in one part of the body
• Chemotherapy, a type of medicine that kills cancer cells but can also harm normal cells. Often several kinds of chemotherapies are used at the same time
• Monoclonal antibodies, man-made versions of the proteins that the body’s immune system makes that help the person’s own immune system find and destroy cancer cells
• Stem cell transplant, during which the cancer cells are replaced with new cells

Talk with your healthcare team about your treatment options. Together you can make the choice that is best for you.

To the right are examples of organizations and resources you may find helpful. Click on the links to visit those websites and learn more.

You need to be confident in the care that you are getting. A second opinion may give you the chance to gather and think about all the facts and options before choosing a treatment option. You may worry that you might offend your doctor by getting a second opinion. But most doctors won't mind. And some insurance companies require you to get a second opinion, but you may want to be sure the visit is covered. If you decide to delay treatment to get a second opinion, be sure to tell your healthcare provider. He or she may not want you to delay treatment.

To the right are examples of organizations and resources you may find helpful. Click on the links to visit those websites and learn more.

Many types of healthcare providers make up a cancer treatment team, such as:

• Medical oncologist
• Hematologist
• Radiation oncologist
• Pediatric oncologist
• Oncology nurse
• Registered dietitian
• Oncology social worker

To the right are examples of organizations and resources you may find helpful. Click on the links to visit those websites and learn more.

Your healthcare team is there to help answer any questions you have. To learn the most from them, it is important to be open and honest. And ask any questions you have— even if you think they are about something that is not important. It may help to write your questions down ahead of time, and take notes during your visit.

To the right are examples of organizations and resources you may find helpful. Click on the links to visit those websites and learn more.