Frequently Asked Questions

General

• 癌症是如何分期的?

• Staging is a numerical system based on a tumor's size and how much cancer has spread.
  
  数字范围从0期到4期不等，0期的肿瘤很小，而且被遏制住了，4期的肿瘤已经扩散到身体的某些部位，而这些部位已经远离了原始肿瘤的位置。
  
  Each type of cancer has unique features that are considered when determining the stage of the disease.

• What is HPV?

• 人乳头瘤病毒引起疣。HPV是通过人类接触传播的，但大多数人并不知道自己感染了这种病毒。
  
  Some strains of HPV can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina or vulva in women; cancer of the penis in men; and cancer in the anus or back of the throat in men and women.

• How do I quit smoking?

• OSF HealthCare offers结构化的程序来帮助你戒烟。
  
  以患者为中心的项目包括由咨询师、营养师和戒烟专家组成的多学科团队提供的行为支持。
  
  We will assess your personal smoking situation and help you formulate a quit plan. Smoking cessation programs are offered free of charge.

• 症状何时开始?

• Symptoms generally surface when the tumor becomes large enough to press against organs, blood vessels or nerves.
  
  你可能会感到不适、疼痛或身体机能发生变化。
  
  The location of the cancer can also affect how early you begin to experience symptoms.
  
  Some cancers rarely produce symptoms in the early stages, while others can be detected early.

Appointments

• 如何将信息反馈给我的初级保健提供者?

• 你的初级护理提供者是你癌症护理团队的一员。他们将保持消息灵通，并能获得所有的通讯。

• If I see a counselor, will my medical record show me as a "mental health patient?"

• No. Your medical record appears the same, regardless of whether you see a counselor.
  
  The only identifiers in your medical record will be if your counselor is listed on your care team or if a mental health condition is included in your "Problem List," which provides for your other medical diagnoses.
  
  在癌症诊断期间，有时在癌症诊断后很长一段时间内，感到恐惧和焦虑是很正常的。我们认识到这一点，并要求每个患者填写一份表格，这是一种遇险工具，确定我们如何才能最好地支持你。
  
  Support is provided in many ways, such as talking with your family, teaching relaxation techniques or just listening.
  
  Don't be ashamed. We are here to support you and help decrease your stress level. And your records are always confidential.

• Will I get the same care with OSF as I would elsewhere?

• OSF HealthCare offers a full range of expertise dedicated to assisting your care. These include:

  • Advanced care planning
  • Comprehensive care from screening to survivorship, palliative, hospice
  • Supportive services – financial navigator, counselor, dietitian
  • IR and oncology
  • Multidisciplinary approach
  • Navigators
  • Oncology massage
  • Rehabilitation services
  • State of the art technology
  • Tumor boards

Billing & Insurance

• How much will this cost?

• Treating cancer is expensive and the costs can vary greatly.
  
  它们是由许多因素决定的，包括你所患癌症的类型、你的治疗过程等等。你去看医生、实验室检查、成像检查、辐射和药物都要收费。
  
  Some cancers may require hospital stays, surgeries, rehab services or home care.
  
  Transportation and lodging costs might also be factors. Insurance will cover some of the cost, but out-of-pocket expenses can be significant.
  
  OSF Cancer Support Services provides a financial navigator to answer your questions and help you find the most affordable options available, and possibly defray some expenses.

• Do I pay extra for the support services?

• Most services are free, such asnavigation,dietitianandsupport groups.
  
  If you have concerns about paying for services, please reach out to our financial navigator.

Services

• What is a nurse navigator?

• Anurse navigatoris an RN dedicated to your case to help you navigate the journey from diagnosis through survivorship.
  
  They serve as your educator, advocate and friend, providing you and your family a single point of contact to get questions answered.
  
  Our nurse navigator will assess your individual needs, provide educational resources, assist with coordination and scheduling of appointments, communicate with physicians and other members of your care team on your behalf, conduct follow-up and provide ongoing support.

• What kind of questions should I be asking the navigator?

• 你可以给你的领航员灌任何东西。如果他们不能马上知道，他们会为你找到答案。Typical questions you want to make sure to ask:

  • After diagnosis, what are my next steps?
  • What are my treatment options? What exactly happens with each treatment, and what are the side effects?
  • If there are multiple options, how might each of them potentially play out?
  • How should I triage new symptoms?
  • 一定要解决你对治疗的潜在障碍的任何担忧，比如交通。
  • Ask for referrals to support services.
  • Ask whatever you want to know about your diagnosis and the journey ahead.

• Who is the primary person guiding my care?

• That can vary according to the type of cancer you have and how your care plan is set up.
  
  您的多学科癌症团队将定期协商，以便所有是最新的进展。
  
  Ask them whom you should contact to address any questions or concerns you have at each step of your journey.

• Why do I need a dietitian?

• Good nutrition supports positive symptom management and maintenance of immune health throughout your treatment.
  
  Different cancers and treatments create different dietary needs.
  
  AnOSF HealthCare registered dietitianwill identify strategies to maintain good nutrition to meet your specific needs during and after cancer therapy.
  
  They will perform a complete evaluation to assess malnutrition risk while providing recommendations to maintain lean body mass and digestive health. Interventions are modified throughout treatment to respond to your symptoms and specific needs.
  
  Your dietitian will work with your oncologist and other members of your team to provide the best possible care and outcomes.

• 为什么我需要一个金融导航员?

• The high costs of cancer treatment can create significant burdens that affect your recovery.
  
  经济困难有时会导致人们跳过治疗或忽视药物，阻碍他们对抗疾病的能力。
  
  理财导航员可以帮助减轻很多压力。
  
  They will meet with your physician, specialists, nurses, pharmacists and others to ensure that your needs are met. They will identify affordable treatment plans, search for free medication programs, work with your insurance providers and look for financial assistance.
  
  This removes that burden from you, so you can focus on recovery.

• Why do I need a physical therapist?

• Cancer treatments can cause physical side effects that range from dizziness to pain and fatigue, from weakened muscles to loss of mobility.
  
  It's important to your long-term health that you get moving again and work to restore as much normal function as possible.
  
  理疗师会帮助你恢复力量和耐力，缓解关节疼痛和僵硬，减少萎缩。增加体育活动也有助于缓解压力。

Treatment

• Do I need radiation?

• About half of cancer patients need radiation therapy – which means about half don't.
  
  The necessity most often is due to the location, size and type of your cancer. In some cases, there may be alternatives to radiation treatment.
  
  Ask your specialist for other options.

• 多长时间可以完成测试?

• This depends on what type of testing is needed. We understand timing is of the essence for you, both emotionally and physically.
  
  OSF HealthCare has measures to assist in expediting and coordinating care (nurse navigation, tumor boards, etc.).

• How quickly after diagnosis can I start radiation treatment?

• 一般来说，它需要一个多学科团队的投入，以确定辐射是否适合你。
  
  一旦团队进行了辐射咨询和模拟，治疗就可以在一两周内开始。

• 疼吗?

• No. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatments themselves do not hurt. But they do cause side effects, some of which can be painful.
  
  副作用因所治疗的癌症和个人而异。
  
  Ask your care team about potential side effects, how severe they might be and how to cope with them.

• 治疗期间我能陪在我爱的人身边吗?

• 大多数癌症治疗并不要求限制你与他人的接触。
  
  然而，一些化疗会抑制你的免疫系统，使你容易受到感染。这就要求你限制与他人的接触。
  
  询问你的癌症护理团队关于你特定治疗计划的必要预防措施。

• 要花多长时间?

• The length of cancer treatments varies greatly, depending on the type and stage of your cancer. Treatment plans can last from a few weeks to 18 months or more.
  
  询问你的癌症护理团队你期望的时间范围是什么。

• What are the side effects?

• Radiation therapy kills cancer cells, but it can also damage adjacent healthy cells. That causes side effects, the most common being fatigue, hair loss, loss of appetite, nausea and skin irritation and peeling.
  
  根据癌症的大小和位置，你可能会经历其他副作用，包括咳嗽、头痛、性功能障碍、呼吸短促、肿胀、味觉变化、吞咽困难、泌尿问题等等。

• Who will help me with long-term side effects?

• 我们鼓励你和你的癌症治疗团队谈谈你个人的副作用。
  
  OSF HealthCare offers a wide range of services –dietitian,rehabilitation,etc. – to help you cope.

• What do I do if I need help at home or after hours?

• Each practice establishes its own office hours and protocols for requesting assistance after hours. Your nurse navigator can help you obtain this information.

• 如果我想听听别人的意见呢?

• You are entitled to a second opinion. The most important thing is for you to feel comfortable with your diagnosis and treatment plan.
  
  In some cases, it may be necessary to start treatments immediately, but usually, you will have time to seek a second opinion and more information before proceeding with treatment.
  
  You need to understand what you are facing and all the options available to you. If you want a second opinion, ask.
  
  TheAmerican Cancer Societyprovides excellent information and tips for seeking a second opinion.

• 如果我不完成治疗会怎么样?

• 完成推荐的治疗是很重要的。
  
  Discuss your concerns with your provider and the next steps if you are unable to complete treatment.

• 我需要采取什么预防措施?如何为治疗做准备?

• Precautions would be based on your diagnosis, but they are generally straightforward and not onerous.
  
  你的团队会提供你需要的信息。

• 治疗室是什么样子的?

• The radiation treatment room is dominated by a large, crescent-shaped machine called a linear accelerator.
  
  As you lie on a table, the linear accelerator moves around you to deliver radiation targeted at your cancerous cells.
  
  A sky scene is projected on the ceiling for you to look at, and music is available to comfort you during treatment.

• 我可以继续我的正常活动吗?

• For the most part, yes. If there are any restrictions, your provider will discuss them with you.
  
  保持健康很重要。锻炼、营养和康复活动都是这个过程的一部分。

• What can I eat to keep my strength up?

• Our dietitian can meet with you. In the meantime, here are some helpful hints.
  
  Maintaining good nutrition is important as you go through cancer treatment.
  
  Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet and keep hydrated.
  
  在你接受治疗的过程中，进食可能会变得困难，你可能需要改变你的饮食。
  
  Be sure to focus on getting enough protein and calories to help keep your strength and energy.
  
  如果你在治疗过程中进食困难，请咨询注册营养师，他可以帮助你制定最适合你的饮食计划。