A short drive isall it took...

Your priority is to get the best possible treatment for the best possible outcome.That is why Mercy Cancer Center has expanded our treatment capacity and introduced cutting-edge radiation therapy technology, bringing comfort, hope and convenience to those fighting cancer here in Merced. Plus, Mercy’s affiliation with the UC Davis Cancer Care Network connects our board-certified physicians and chemo-certified nurses to university-based specialists and researchers who collaborate in real time on diagnosis and treatment.

Why go any further? Get your rest. And get world-class cancer treatment in your part of the world.

Mercy UC Davis Cancer Center

For more information call 209-564-3600

When she was diagnosed, I said, “Only the best care. The latesttechnology. And we’d go wherever we had to, no matter how far.”

How to

ImportantPoints...

choose a caNceR TReaTMeNT ceNTeR

Why choice mattersNo one is prepared for a cancer diagnosis.

After the shock subsides, there are hundreds of questions to ask and multiple options when it comes to therapies and treatment centers. Treatment options alone span from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to ex-perimental trials and alternative medicine.

The cancer treatment center you choose will be imperative, not only in the treatment process, but in the healing process. That’s why it’s important to choose a center where you feel comfortable, where you agree with the treatment practices and philosophies and where they have the capacity to give you the attention and focus you need. Hospitals vary in size, technologies, clinical expertise and quality of care, so do your research early on. You deserve the best treatment available for the type of cancer you have.

Choose your doctor wiselyIt may seem like you have to jump in and

tackle your disease right away, but it’s just as crucial that you take your time to choose the right doctor. It’s a general rule that if you find a great oncologist, he or she will come with a stellar hospital.

What does Board Certified mean?While medical licensure sets the mini-

mum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients, it is not specialty specific.

Board certification demonstrates a physi-cian’s ongoing commitment and expertise in consistently achieving superior clinical outcomes in a responsive, patient-focused setting. Patients, physicians, healthcare providers, insurers and quality organiza-tions look for Board Certification as the best measure of a physician’s knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality healthcare within a given specialty.

Use the physician that found your cancer as your first resource. Compile a list of questions to ask and take notes!

If your doctor isn’t sure of the diagnosis, ask him or her where you should turn next. Don’t leave without at least four names of highly recommended doctors to turn to next. There are many different cancer specialists and you could need one or more throughout your course of treatment.

It never hurts to do your own research.

Terms and definitions can be confusing and overwhelming after a while, so here’s a head start to getting to know doctors’ train-ing and credentials:

• Most physicians are medical doctors (M.D.s) or osteopathic doctors (D.O.s)

• Physicians must pass an exam to be-come legally licensed to practice medicine, and each state has different licensing stan-dards and procedures

• Specialists are doctors who have com-pleted their training in a specific area, such as radiology or internal medicine

• Medical oncology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. These doctors treat cancer and manage patients’ courses of treatment, but may refer the patient to other specialists.

• Hematology is also a subspecialty of in-ternal medicine, focusing on blood diseases and related tissue, including bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes.

• Radiation oncology is a subspecialty of radiology, which is the use of X-rays and other kinds of radiation to diagnose and treat disease.

• Surgery is a specialty that treats disease by surgical operation. There are general sur-geons and surgeons that specialize in certain types of surgery, such as a brain surgeon.

Once you find some doctors that meet your criteria, get ready to perform some interviews. The most important question to ask as you’re looking for your primary on-cologist is how much experience they have in treating your specific type of cancer. Ask them their success rate and what they define as “success.” If you’re interested in alternative medicine options, make sure they’re comfortable with incorporating this into your treatment plan. Be sure to ask them about their experience and creden-tials. You should feel comfortable enough with them to ask these important questions and more:

1. Does the doctor use the hospital I would like to work with?

2. Is the doctor available? When are his or her office hours and how long does it take to get an appointment?

3. Does the doctor listen to me, explain things clearly and encourage me to ask questions?

4. Who covers for the doctor when he or she is unavailable? Will that person have access to my medical records?

Research your cancer centerIt may seem obvious, but the best place

to start when researching your treat-ment center is location. Some of the most renowned cancer facilities may be located in different cities or states and, for some, travel is a feasible option. However, this is not a possibility for everyone and conve-nience is important. For one-time surgeries that don’t require long-term care, traveling to a specialized surgeon may be an option. However, if chemotherapy or radiation be-comes part of your treatment, you may need a friend or family member to drive you to and from appointments, so be sure to think out every detail.

When it comes to size and scope, there are a couple of different options. Some treatment centers specialize in a certain type of cancer, such as breast or lung cancers. These facilities have their advantages, but a multi-specialty clinic has a number of specialists under one roof who are used to working with each other. Other perks of a larger clinic include centralized medical record systems and a central location.

If a large center isn’t available in your area, don’t worry. You should be able to get the same quality of care at many hospitals nearby. By and large, cancer care is stan-dardized, so it’s more important that you’re comfortable with geography and personnel.

As you research your care facility, ask about clinical trials. Many hospitals throughout the country take part in FDA-regulated clinical trials that test new drugs or procedures. Taking part in a trial could be a great supplement to your treatment plan, but they come with many disclaim-ers. Mostly because doctors have no way of knowing if or how these new treatments will work. Learn all you can about the trials to make sure they’re right for your type of cancer.

• Ask Around. Recommenda-tions are key. Talk to friends and family about their experi-ences at local medical centers. ask your health care provider about the professional reputa-tion of cancer treatment hospi-tals, particularly those treating your type of cancer.

• Additional Support: There are hundreds of support out-lets both in person and online. Your cancer treatment hospital should offer support groups for people going through treat-ment and their loved ones.

• Insurance: Be meticulous about learning exactly what your insurance covers and does not cover. Get the most out of your plan and avoid any unexpected bills.

• Take Notes. Writing down questions before medical appointments and recording pertinent details from your con-versations can help you keep track of doctors and treatment options.

You deserve the best quality care for the type

of cancer you have.

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