Working with your doctor to treat bowel cancer

Taking an active role in your medical care is always a good idea. It’s especially important during bowel cancer treatment. There are many important decisions that you and your doctors need to make and it's best if you work together.

Being diagnosed with bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) can make you feel helpless. If you become involved in the treatment process it can give you back a feeling of control. Here are some things you can do to make a partnership with your doctor work.

• Be an active patient. Don't sit back and let the doctor make all the decisions. Instead, think about what you want from the treatment for your bowel cancer. Ask questions about the various approaches available. Go over the pros and cons. Find out about side-effects.
• Talk to your doctor about developing a partnership. Explain that you want to take an active role in your treatment. Most doctors will welcome the idea.
• Read up on your condition. It's important for youto learn about the latest treatments available for bowel cancer. That will help you evaluate the options your doctor suggests.
• Try not to become obsessed. While learning about bowel cancer and the treatment options is important, don't go overboard. "Too much information can be bad," says oncologist Dr Anthony Back. "I see patients who feel like they should be on the Internet every second, looking for new information. But that might not be the best way to spend your time, especially with advanced disease."
• Don't be afraid of getting a second opinion. If you have any doubts about the treatment your doctor suggests -- or if you just want to double-check -- get a second opinion. Most doctors will have no problem with that. "I don't mind when my patients get a second opinion," says oncologist Dr Paulo Hoff. "I believe that the more brains you have thinking about a problem, the better." In many cases, Hoff observes, the second doctor will suggest the same treatment as the first. However, having that agreement can make people a lot more confident about their treatment.
• Be honest. For your bowel cancer treatment to be effective, you need to be honest with your doctor. Make sure that your doctor knows everything about your medical condition, and about all medicines, supplements, and herbal remedies you use. If you're skipping your medication, tell your doctor and explain why. There might be a solution.