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When The Doctor Says "Cancer"
from Better Health magazine, Summer, 2003
Danville Regional Health System welcomes Gwynn Long, MD to its staff. He comes from Duke University Health System, and is affiliated with Danville Hematology & Oncology.
Are you glad that cancer isn't a forbidden subject of conversation?
Definitely. Not that long ago it was hush-hush. Somehow there was a sense of shame attached. But now it's in the open, and people learn about precautions, and screenings, and methods of treatment. It's made it easier for both physicians and patients.
When we talk about "cancer," we're actually talking about many diseases, aren't we?
That's right, cancers present in unique ways, and can be as different as the parts of the body they affect. Some are curable, others may not be, but may be contollable. In almost every case, we can do something to improve the patient's quality of life.
Some people consider the treatment as bad as the disease. Is that fair?
There's no doubt that some bold treatments may be called for when facing aggressive cancers. But sometimes perceptions are slow to catch up with reality. For example, we've made great strides in controlling nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. We now have some very good medicines to make treatment a more positive experience.
If people receive a cancer diagnosis, what should they do?
First of all, do not give up. We definitely have more success when patients are committed to their program of treatment. We now have medicines that control infections and maintain blood counts, so patients don't feel as run down as in the past.
If you could say one thing to people about cancer, what would it be?
I know they've heard it before, but early detection is still the key. They need to have screenings that are appropriate for their gender and age. And they need to know that there's almost always something we can do to make them feel better, and treatment is getting more hopeful all the time.
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