What is treatment meant to do?
It is important for you to understand why you are getting the treatment your doctor has recommended and how it is supposed to help you. Different treatments try to do different things. It depends on what cancer you have, and whether it has spread, and where you live, and what you want. Ask your doctor or specialist if the treatment they suggest:
- is meant to cure you, by getting rid of the cancer and stopping it spreading, or
- won’t cure you, but is meant to prolong your life, or make you feel better.
Your treatment team will yarn with you and explain this. You can yarn with them and tell them what you think, and what you want. Some people will want to try everything possible to stay alive. Others want simpler treatments, or may not want to leave Country for treatment, or perhaps would rather have no treatment at all. It’s your choice. You can also talk to another doctor to help you decide.