It will also increase their satisfaction with the services they receive, their sense of involvement in their treatment, and communication between people with cancer, their families and friends, and the staff involved in their care. It will thereby improve the effectiveness of the care they receive. For information to be of value it must come from a reliable source to prevent it causing unnecessary fears. Personal medical information should come from your own doctor who is familiar with your medical background. It can be useful to make a list of questions before your visit or take a friend or relative with you to remind you of things you want to know but can forget so easily.
Some patients take a tape recorder to their doctor visits so they can later review what was said.
Other sources of information are provided within this site. At times you may not be able to do things you used to take for granted. But as you begin to feel better you can set yourself some simple goals and gradually build up your confidence. Take things slowly and one step at a time. This mindset helps many people.