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Frequently Asked Questions
For persons just diagnosed with cancer
Q1: I was just diagnosed with cancer. What should I do first?
Q3: Who should I tell about my cancer?
Q4: What are the types of doctors involved in caring for persons with cancer?
Q5: Can my cancer be treated here in Ithaca?
Q6: Does the Cancer Resource Center recommend specific doctors and/or treatments?
Q7: Which doctors treat cancer in the Ithaca area?
Q8. What are some options for diagnosis and treatment outside of the Ithaca area?
Q9: Can someone go with me to a doctor’s appointment?
Q10: What sorts of alternative and complementary therapies are available?
Q11: Will my regular doctor be upset if I seek alternative or complementary treatment?
Q1: I was just diagnosed with cancer. What should
I do first?
Take a deep breath. When you first learn that you have cancer, it seems
like your life is suddenly out of control. It helps to focus on one step at
a time (e.g., the next doctor’s appointment) as opposed to thinking about
everything that might happen in the months ahead.
In most cases, you have some time to explore your options. You should ask your doctor how long you can safely
wait before treatment begins.
Many people visit or call our Resource
Center when they’re first diagnosed. Here you can talk with staff
and trained volunteers who can answer your questions and provide you with the
information you’re seeking. Many clients say that the Resource Center
provided them with a sense of calm and understanding when every other aspect
of their life seemed rushed and unsettled.
Here are some on-line resources that might be helpful:
Advice for Those Newly Diagnosed with Cancer
What
to Do Next: Suggestions for Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer from
Breast Cancer Action.
Recent "Cancer Connections"
columns from the Ithaca Journal.
The National Cancer Institute brochure Surgery Choices for Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer helps people sort through the decision to have either a mastectomy or a lumpectomy with radiation.
Q2: Am I going to die?
The great majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer will not die from breast cancer. It is a serious disease, but there are more than 2,000,000 survivors of breast cancer in the United States, 3,000 survivors in our 7 county service area, and some 800 survivors in Tompkins County alone.
Q3: Who should I tell about my cancer?
This is entirely up to you. Some people wish to maintain their privacy while others believe that each person they tell about their diagnosis is a potential source of support.
Q4: What are the types of doctors involved in caring for
persons with cancer?
These are the doctors you’re most likely to see:
- Surgeons perform biopsies and surgically remove the cancer.
- Medical oncologists treat you with chemotherapy and other
drugs, and usually serve as your primary cancer doctor. (The term oncologist
is commonly used in place of medical oncologist).
- Radiation oncologists treat you with therapeutic radiation.
- Plastic surgeons perform reconstructive breast surgery,
once the cancer has been removed.
- Radiologists read mammograms and perform some types of biopsies.
Many of our clients receive their care in Ithaca. Surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists practice here. Some pepople choose to receive care at larger medical centers, most often in New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse. Other clients receive their care in Ithaca, but travel to a larger medical center for a second opinion.
There is no single “best” place to be treated. What’s most important is for you to have confidence in and feel comfortable with your physicians.
Q6: Does the Cancer Resource Center recommend specific doctors and/or treatments?
No. We do not recommend specific physicians because what’s critical is the “fit” between patient and doctor. The same doctor can be a great fit with one patient, but a poor fit with the next.
Similarly, the Cancer Resource Center does not recommend specific treatments. Treatment decisions need to be made by you and your medical practitioners. Our role is to help you better understand your options so you can make more informed decisions.
Through our Peer Information Network, we can connect you with individuals
who have been treated by specific physicians and/or who have undergone specific
procedures. They can share their personal experiences with you, but they will
be speaking as individuals and not as representatives of the Cancer Resource Center. For more information,
call us at 277-0960.
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Q7: Which doctors treat breast cancer in the Ithaca area?
A. Surgeons
Surgical Associates of Ithaca 607-273-3161
Guthrie
Clinic (Ithaca location) 607-257-5858
(Office visits in Ithaca; Surgery performed in Sayre, PA)
B. Medical Oncologists
Ithaca Medical Group 607-272-5414
Robert Hickes, MD 607-272-5486
Guthrie
Clinic (Ithaca location) 607-257-5858
(Office visits in Ithaca; Chemotherapy administered in Sayre, PA).
C. Radiation Oncologists
Roswell
Park Radiation Medicine (in Partnership with Cayuga Medical Center)
(607) 274-4060.
D. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
Daniel
S. Jorgenson, MD 607-216-0062
David
Monacelli, MD 607-266-0483
E. Radiologists
Radiology
Associates of Ithaca 607-277-3790
F. Urologists
Ithaca Urology 607-273-8502
G. Gastroenterologists
Gastroenterology
Associates of Ithaca
Jonathan E. Cryer, MD
Robert Strominger, MD
F. Pathologists
Pathology Associates of Ithaca 607-274-4474
Q8. What are some options for diagnosis and treatment outside of the Ithaca area?
These are the providers in our region most frequently asked about by our
clients:
Buffalo
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
800-767-9355
New York City
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Center 800-525-2225
Memorial
Sloan Kettering Breast Cancer Center
Rochester
The
James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center
585-275-2100
The
James P. Wilmot Cancer Center -- Breast Cancer
The Elizabeth Wende Breast
Clinic 585-442-2190
(Mammography, breast imaging, and stereotactic biopsies)
Sayre, PA
Guthrie Clinic 888-448-8474
Guthrie Clinic Breast and Imaging Center
Syracuse
University Hospital
800-464-8668
University
Hospital Breast Care Center
Click
here for a complete listing of all National Cancer Institute Designated
Cancer Centers
Q9: Can someone go with me to a doctor’s appointment?
We recommend that you have someone accompany you to doctor’s appointments. This is especially true at first when there is so much to absorb. Don't hesitate to invite a family member or friend to go with you. They're likely to be honored to help you in this way. They can help you remember what was discussed and provide personal support.
Our Support Companions are trained volunteers who can accompany you to appointments and treatments in Tompkins County. To arrange for a Support Companion, contact us at 607-277-0960.
Q10: What sorts of alternative and complementary therapies are available?
IBCA clients have used acupuncture, art therapy, chiropractic, dance therapy, flower essence, homeopathy, macrobiotics, massage therapy, mind-body health care, naturopathic medicine, nutritional counseling, reiki, traditional Chinese medicine, and yoga.
Our Client Services staff (277-0960) and Helpline volunteers (277-9410) can provide referrals to practitioners in the above disciplines locally and elsewhere. The referral list is not comprehensive, but does includes practitioners who have been used by our clients in the past.
Several of these practitioners (who provide reiki, massage, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, flower essences, and more) volunteer to offer one free appointment to our clients. Contact Client Services (277-0960) for more information.
Q11: Will my regular doctor be upset if I seek alternative or complementary treatment?
It’s common for patients to seek alternative and complementary treatments while also undergoing more conventional treatment. Physicians are generally receptive to this. It’s important, however, that you keep your physicians informed about all such treatments, especially the use of herbal supplements, because they sometimes affect how your body responds to medication and/or surgery. About Herbs, Botanicals, and Other Products (from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center).
FAQ about second opinions.
FAQ for family and friends.
FAQ about wigs and prostheses.