Top tips to become an informed patient
By Elayne Smith Lowe
• Be open and upfront with medical providers, including past medical history
and any alternative medicine you use to protect against harmful side effects
• Ask if you don’t understand a medical term
• Make sure your medical records are available to your oncologist
• If you conduct any research on your own, go over it either with your
provider or navigator to ensure its validity and relevance
• Get a second opinion if you want to validate the treatment plan or ensure
your provider has the technology you need
• Make sure you have full knowledge of what your insurance plan provides
either through the company or your patient navigator
• Call the American Cancer Society’s 24/7 hotline at 800-227-2345 for
questions that come up outside office hours