Suspecting cancer is a painful blow. Regardless of whether it affects ourselves directly or our loved ones, we panicked and try to seek help and a quick answer to the question - am I sick? Often, in the first moments, we feel lost, we do not know what to do, what to expect, how the very process of diagnosis and possible treatment will proceed. Dr. Dariusz Żak, oncologist at the Magodent hospital of the LUX MED Group, talks about what comprehensive oncological care can look like.
Dr. Dariusz Żak, oncologist: If, during self-examination, a patient notices changes on his body, disturbing him, he must see a general practitioner. And here, from the very beginning, the doctor's approach is important. The manner in which he notifies the patient about suspected cancer affects his attitude towards further diagnosis and possible treatment. A doctor is also a psychologist who needs to feel how to talk about such a sensitive topic. This basic psychological care and support is, of course, followed by a series of studies that aim to exclude or confirm cancer. Then, the doctor, on the basis of tests, in justified cases (in the case of suspicion of a neoplastic disease), presents the patient with a Diagnostics and Oncological Treatment (DiLO) card, which accompanies him throughout the entire hospitalization and diagnosis.
This is a card that significantly speeds up the cancer diagnosis process. Thanks to it, patients are treated as a priority and have a chance for much faster tests, and thus - diagnosis. Until recently, the DILO card, when cancer was suspected, could only be issued by a primary care physician, for unknown reasons a specialist could not do it. Fortunately, the system has been improved and this unquestionable drawback has been eliminated. Cards cannot be received by everyone. If that were the case, the majority of the population would be on the oncological treatment list, which would miss the point of this project. The DiLO card can be issued by a doctor only in justified cases. Of course, the word "reasonable" is a fairly broad concept, but not soas wide as "everyone". The doctor, apart from his knowledge and experience, has tools that allow him to completely exclude neoplasm or undergo an initial diagnosis during the first visit. If, after the examination, he suspects an oncological disease, he issues a DiLO card.
Unfortunately not. Some facilities, such as, for example, Magodent hospitals belonging to the LUX MED Group, are able to carry out a complete patient diagnosis much faster. It is thanks to the coordinated care system that the initial and in-depth diagnostics last up to 7 weeks. It's very fast.
Assuming that the initial diagnosis confirmed the neoplastic disease, the patient goes to the so-called in-depth diagnosis. It consists in determining the stage of the disease, assessing whether the patient may be qualified for radical treatment and helping to determine the number and places of possible metastases. In-depth diagnostics lasts up to 3 weeks. After this time, a special consultation of doctors is called, who determine the individual treatment plan for the patient - the date and its method. Of course, the patient is not alone at any stage (neither in diagnosis nor treatment). He is assigned a coordinator who supervises the implementation and timeliness of all services - visits, tests and treatments. Thanks to this, the patient does not feel lonely and does not have to worry about "what's next?"
This is a very important element of treatment. As I mentioned, the doctor, especially the oncological one, is also a psychologist and his contact with the patient is invaluable at the stage of the entire diagnosis and treatment.
The doctor is obliged to inform the patient about his he alth. However, patients don't always want to know the truth. They are often afraid of her. It used to be the practice of concealing unpleasant information, but in my opinion it did not do any good. The patient had no chance to prepare for the worst. And in the case of the worst-case scenario, the family stays with manyunfinished business. Personally, I think that if a patient wants to know his prognosis, he should be told in a delicate way what his he alth is. Usually, the patient authorizes another person close to him to view his medical records. Often this person is a buffer between the doctor and the patient. The doctor can provide her with full information if the patient himself does not ask about his condition or does not want to know the truth. On the other hand, if the patient wants to know what awaits him and asks questions, the doctor has no right to withhold information, even at the request of the patient's relatives.
Patients undergoing oncological treatment are waiting for this day when they will hear that their treatment has brought the expected results and the prognosis is very good. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of the fact that they will have to undergo periodic examinations for the rest of their lives. This is a wicket that cannot be closed, and often remains a source of worry. Here again, the role of a doctor who will guide his patient and the family, who will help the patient return to this longed-for and awaited everyday life, is invaluable.