Taking an Active Role in Your Health

For some people, becoming an active member of your healthcare team can be challenging. Some may feel overwhelmed by all the information, test results, and treatment options, while others might not feel comfortable talking to their doctor at all.

If you or a loved one are struggling to find your place on your healthcare team or feel lost during appointments, there are some steps you might consider to make the most of your time with your doctor. These tips may also help you break into a more active role when it comes to treatment planning or symptom management.

Take notes and pay attention

When your doctor is talking about confusing test results or treatment options that have unfamiliar names, it is easy to want to zone out and not pay attention. However, staying focused and taking notes during your visit may help you remember more from your appointment and pay closer attention. If you are unable to take notes or do not feel comfortable doing this while your doctor is talking to you, it may be a good idea to ask a friend or family member to come to your appointment with you to be your designated note-taker.

Do some research and ask questions

After your appointment, you may think of more questions or want to find out more about a topic your doctor brought up. Doing a quick internet search or checking in with a support group may help you find out more about issues that you are confused or concerned about. However, it is important to remember that an internet search can lead to many results, and not all websites are accurate. Major resources such as the American Cancer Society or other medically reviewed sites generally have accurate and easy-to-understand information.

As you are doing research, you may find you have more questions than when you started. Make sure to write down any questions you have and bring them to your next doctor’s appointment so you can discuss what you need during your visit.

Ask for different options and more time

In some cases, there may only be 1 treatment option that is right for your specific situation, and there may not be much of a choice to be made. However, in other cases, your doctor might be deciding between several different treatment options with different cure rates, side effects, or price ranges.

Ask your doctor if there is more than 1 treatment option possible for you and if you can help decide between them based on what you are looking to get out of treatment. For example, if you know that you want to avoid a specific side effect, ask your doctor if there are any medicines that might reduce the chance of you experiencing it.

If your doctor does give you several treatment options to choose from, it is okay to ask for time to decide. You do not need to make a decision on the spot. You can go home and do some more research, or ask friends or support group members what their experiences have been. You can use that information to help make your decision later on.

Talk directly and openly with your doctor

Some people with prostate cancer may feel like they cannot talk openly to their doctor. Letting your doctor know about any fears you have regarding their perception of you, treatment, or the future can help keep open lines of communication and create mutual respect between you.

Creating a high level of respect and setting goals for care may help ease conversations later on and allow you to take on a more active role on the team. It is important to remember that if your doctor or healthcare provider does not make you feel valued or heard, you can always seek a second opinion or a new doctor (if possible).