When given a cancer diagnosis, you quickly enter a world with a whole new vocabulary, many appointments, and new healthcare providers. Advocating for yourself means being able to ask for help and letting others know what you need. This is an important skill during cancer treatment! It is hard to ask for what you need if you don’t understand a bit about your cancer, the treatments, and what to expect. In other words, educating yourself is the first step to becoming your own advocate.
I had the pleasure of joining a Cancer Support Community podcast called Facing Cancer Together to share some of my tips for self-advocacy. I hope you’ll check it out!
For more tips on being your own advocate, check out “Being Your Own Cancer Care Advocate” on Oncolink.
About the author: Carolyn Vachani is an oncology advanced practice nurse and the Innovation Director at OncoLink. She has worked in many areas of oncology including BMT, clinical research, radiation therapy, and staff development. She serves as the project leader in the development and maintenance of the OncoLife Survivorship Care Plan and has a strong interest in oncology survivorship care. She enjoys discussing just about any cancer topic, as well as gardening, cooking, and, of course, her sons.
