Cancer: Should I Continue Treatment?

Regardless of the stage of your cancer, be assured that you can be as comfortable as possible. You also can take an active role in deciding what kind of care you want. You may choose to have more treatment, which may mean you'll take part in a clinical trial. Or you may decide you don't want any more treatments except for those aimed at pain relief, comfort, and quality of life.

Understanding your cancer treatment goals

Talk with your doctor and loved ones about your cancer treatment goals and the care you want. Likewise, expect your doctor to talk openly and sensitively with you. Think about your treatment goals while you are active and able to share your wishes.

Your doctor can give you information, answer questions, and advise you. But the decisions are yours. There are important questions to ask your doctor:

  • Can my cancer be cured?
  • Will treatment make my life longer?
  • What are my treatment options, and are there side effects?
  • What will happen if I choose not to treat my cancer?
  • How soon do I need to decide about treatment?

What are clinical trials?

You may choose to take part in a clinical trial if it becomes clear that standard treatments are not helping. A clinical trial is a study of a new way to treat cancer. Sometimes the trials are done at major medical centers. Other times you may receive treatment from your doctor.

Clinical trials are important to help researchers find out if a new treatment works better and has fewer side effects than standard treatments. On the other hand, the new treatment might not work as well or might cause more side effects than standard treatments. But this is how advancements in treatment are made. They offer hope for the future.

Talk to your doctor and your health insurance company if you want to take part in a clinical trial. Your doctor can help you find out if you meet the trial's guidelines and if there is a trial in your area. If you are accepted into a trial, you will have a schedule of tests, appointments, and treatments. Find out who covers the costs.

The National Cancer Institute has information about cancer-related clinical trials. Go to www.cancer.gov, or call 1-800-422-6237 (and select option 1). Trained staff who speak English and Spanish can answer questions and help you search to see if there is a clinical trial available for a certain type of cancer.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care can help manage pain and other symptoms of your cancer regardless of whether cure is possible. Palliative care can be given along with curative treatment, or it can be the main focus when cure is not possible.

Palliative care can help you cope with your feelings. It can also help with communication among your doctors, nurses, and loved ones. Palliative care providers understand that your illness affects not just you, but also those you love.

Your palliative care providers will ask questions about how your illness affects your emotions and spirit. Then they will try to make sure that your medical care meets your goals for your body, mind, and spirit.

If your doctor feels you have less than 6 months to live, you may choose end-of-life palliative care (hospice). This type of care helps keep you comfortable as death nears and supports your family. Your doctor can keep managing your care. Family, friends, and hospice workers will help care for you.

The U.S. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization offers information on hospice and palliative care programs in your area. See its website at www.nhpco.org, or call 1-800-658-8898.

Will you need to choose between curative treatment and palliative care?

If cure is possible, you can have both curative treatment and palliative care to help keep you comfortable. At some point, though, you may want or need to choose between curative treatment and end-of-life palliative care (hospice). You may choose to stop curative treatment when it becomes clear that your cancer cannot be cured.

Focusing on pain and symptom relief instead of cure does not mean that you will not see your doctor or get excellent care. Also, curative treatment and treatment to prolong your life remain options. If your health changes or new treatments become available, you can opt for curative treatment again.

Coping with your feelings

It is normal to have many conflicting feelings as you face continued cancer treatment. Many people worry about:

  • Dying. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect. Counseling may also help you work through some of the feelings you are facing.
  • Pain. You do not need to be in pain. Let your doctor know if you are having pain or other symptoms. There are many medicines and treatments to help you stay comfortable.
  • Spiritual issues. Some people do not think of spiritual matters often. For others, spirituality is a part of daily life. Facing cancer may cause you to confront your own spiritual questions and issues. You may find solace in organized religion, by exploring nature, through community involvement, or by working on relationships. Think about what gives you comfort and support.
  • How loved ones are coping. Encourage your loved ones to ask for help from others and to take care of themselves so they do not become exhausted. There are resources to help your loved ones. Talk to your doctor or hospital social worker.