About Cancer Treatment

Your cancer treatment may involve several types of health care professionals who, with you, form the "cancer care team."

Dry mouth is a common complaint during some types of cancer treatments.

Older adults are less likely to be screened for cancer in the first place. And if they are diagnosed with cancer, it's less likely that their doctors will recommend treatment to cure the cancer.

The first step in preparing for your cancer treatment is to find an oncologist and treatment center. Ask your general or primary care physician for a referral or contact government and professional medical organizations, such as your state's health department, the National Cancer Institute, or the American Medical Association, for information on cancer specialists and treatment centers in your area.

Use this chart daily to record the symptoms that you are experiencing. Rate the symptoms according to severity, using a scale of 1 to 4.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments save lives. They also can bring a variety of temporary but unpleasant side effects.

The conventional, primary methods of treating cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy/biological therapy. Your doctor will determine which treatment or treatments are best for you.