Newly Diagnosed

Expert guidance for newly diagnosed cancer patients

A new cancer diagnosis is scary and confusing. But at Ellis Medicine, we’re here to support you and make your cancer experience as easy as possible.

First, we recommend you learn everything you can about your cancer and your treatment plan. Because these facts can be a lot to take in, we recommend bringing a support person with you who can help you take notes and remember. You’ll want to ask questions like:

What is my exact name and stage of cancer?
Can we cure my cancer? If not, what are my treatment goals?
Do I need genetic testing to help guide my treatment?
What tests do I need?
What treatments do I need? Are there other options?
What are the risks and side effects of these treatments?
Can I prevent or manage these side effects?
How long does treatment take? How often do I need treatment?
Do I qualify for any clinical trials?
Do I need to start treatment right away?

You’re Still In Control

Most patients don’t need to start treatment right away. You have time to think about your treatment options and ask as many questions as you’d like.

We also support your right to seek a second opinion from a different doctor at a different cancer center. You should explore all your care options to see if new treatments are available for your specific cancer.

If you feel overwhelmed by all of this information, like most newly diagnosed cancer patients, we strongly encourage you to talk to a professional about your emotional distress. It is normal for cancer patients to feel depressed, anxious and scared. Your Ellis Medicine cancer care team can connect you with support resources such as counselors, support groups and more to help you healthily work through these feelings.