Using Lung Cancer Choices

Purpose of Lung Cancer Choices

Lung Cancer Choices is written with several purposes in mind:

- - to provide information about lung cancer to help you make decisions about lung cancer treatment options.
  - to provide a balanced view of the currently available treatment options from Western medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and Chinese medicine.
  - to help you communicate more effectively with healthcare providers.
  - to help you become empowered to be the best advocate for your healthcare.

Making Informed Decisions

Potentially life-changing decisions are one aspect of having a serious illness such as lung cancer. Each of us is unique in how we make decisions. Some people want to know everything they possibly can about their disease so they can make all their own treatment decisions. Other people prefer to have their healthcare providers make treatment decisions based on their knowledge and expertise. Some prefer having a friend or family member seek out and sort through information. Many use a combination of approaches.

You may find medical words in the book that are new to you. You can find the definitions within the chapter or in the Glossary at the back of the book. Becoming familiar with these words will help you better understand lung cancer. It might also help you communicate more efficiently with your healthcare providers.

We hope Lung Cancer Choices will help you understand your disease and some of the health care options available to you. Knowledge empowers you to ask the necessary questions to become your own best advocate. When your questions have been asked and answered, you and your healthcare providers will be in the best possible situation to determine the best treatment approach for you.

An Important Note to the Reader

This book was created to provide information about a variety of approaches to the treatment and management of lung cancer. The information presented in Lung Cancer Choices has been made available by The Caring Ambassadors Program for educational purposes only. The Caring Ambassadors Program and the authors of Lung Cancer Choices believe that access to good information leads to better decisions. However, this book is not a substitute for medical advice.

Each chapter and section of the book has been authored independently and reflects the unique approach of the author to the treatment of lung cancer, based on their medical discipline and experience. For this reason, an author is responsible only for the accuracy of the information presented in their chapter section. Any statement about commercial products are solely the opinion of the author and do not represent an endorsement or evaluation of these products by the Caring Ambassadors Program. These statements may not be used for any commercial purpose or advertising.

The choice of treatment for lung cancer is a personal one. We encourage you to carefully assess the information provided here and elsewhere, and work with your health care providers to choose treatment approaches that meet your individual needs.