Care for a Senior with Cancer Should Be A Team Approach

What Portland Oncologists Wants You to Know about Cancer Care

Care for a Senior with Cancer Should Be A Team Approach

What type of Care is needed for Portland’s Senior Cancer Patients?

There is no longer a one-size-fits-all approach to cancer care, and each and every patient deserves an individualized care plan. Most doctors recommend the importance of a “team approach” to caring for seniors with cancer.  It’s important for older patients and their loved ones to understand that cancer treatment requires coordination by a whole team of caregivers. 
 
“There are many treatment options and each patient’s treatment plan is different, so it is important to build your team starting from the time you get the news of your diagnosis. This will help you to understand how the different parts of treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted medication) all fit in with each other.

Cancer is a disease associated with aging, and there are issues with both under and overtreatment in the care of older adults.  The main question Oncologists must ask is how they can optimally treat senior patients to improve outcomes while minimizing risk. Health-care providers help assess older patients and must help them and their families make the best personalized decisions possible to have the best care during and after treatment. 

The good news is that modern medicine has made amazing strides in the screening and treatment of cancer in seniors.  Every year, advances are made that not only improve survival but lessen the impact on a patient’s quality of life.”  

A Cancer Care Team Includes the following:

Radiologist
Martin says a radiologist is usually the first doctor most breast cancer patients meet. A breast cancer diagnosis typically “starts with the imaging work-up when an abnormality is identified.” 
 
Pathologist
Once your radiologist has determined there could be a problem and a biopsy has been performed, your tissue samples will be sent on to a pathologist who examines the cells and provides additional diagnostic information about the type of cancer you have. 
 
Navigator
The navigator may be a nurse, a social worker or even a layperson with knowledge of the facility’s process 
 
Surgeon / Surgical Oncologist
For many patients, the next doctor on the list will be a surgeon
 
Medical Oncologist
The medical oncologist will determine what is needed to systematically treat the rest of your body
 
Radiation Oncologist/Interventional Radiologist
In addition to chemotherapy and endocrine therapies, you may also need radiation therapy, and a radiation oncologist will determine the best plan of attack for these treatments

Home Caregivers
In home caregivers and care support including personal care and post-op care can help speed recovery.
 
For More Information Please Read Here
Source: https://health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/2017-06-01/who-will-be-caring-for-me-during-treatment-for-breast-cancer
 
BrightStar Care of Portland helps care for seniors with serious illnesses like Cancer. We can provide a full continuum of in home care services comprised of special needs disability care, pediatric care, companionship, personal care, dementia care, transportation, medication assistance, skilled nursing and more to improve clients’ health and quality of life.
 
To learn more about our local team of caregivers, skilled healthcare professionals, and home health care support for Portland families and businesses – Click Here
Source: https://www.brightstarcare.com/west-portland