Talking About Side Effects of Cancer Treatments

Effective communication is an essential element of Healthy Survivorship. So I felt honored when MD Anderson Cancer Center's Dr. Walter Baile invited me to write and narrate an audiovisual module titled TALKING ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS OF CANCER TREATMENTS

As both a physician and a patient, I've experienced the obstacles to talking about side effects. My hope is that this module encourages patients and their families to talk about side effects in ways that help them get good care and live as fully as possible.

I welcome your feedback.

Comments

[Judy Goldthorp]

Very good video. Thanks for explaining that reporting symptoms is not "complaining." I have forwarded your video to a friend who is an Oncology RN.

[Jeanne M. Hannah]

What a terrific video! I was especially mindful of how you explained sharing embarrassing side effects. Let's face it, the doctor isn't going to know what a patient is experiencing unless told . . . but how embarrassing is diarrhea?

As an advocate for my mom, I let her doctor know ahead of the appointment. [I actually asked the doctor to have her nurse call my mom and schedule the appointment.]

As Mom's doctor explored Mom's symptoms, Mom told her about everything except the diarrhea. Finally, her doctor said, "Tell me. I notice that one of your medicines could cause diarrhea. Have you had and problems with that?"

My mom's sense of relief washed over her face. I could almost read her thoughts: "Oh! It's not my fault!" She was then able to talk about it and the doctor changed her medication to resolve the problem.

Wouldn't it be great if all patients could take an advocate with them to appointments?

[Wendy S. Harpham, MD]

Thanks for the feedback.

Judy, thank you for sharing the link.

Jeanne, thank you for your illustrative story. Her doctor sounds most compassionate, welcoming your advocacy and asking about diarrhea the way he did.

With hope, Wendy

[Finn]

Very well explained. I'm sending the link to a friend currently in treatment.

[Marcy]

This is really helpful and practical. I'm sending this on to my email list of leukemia patients. I can see applications even for appointments with our family physicians. Thank you!