After the initial shock of a cancer diagnosis, one of the most difficult things for patients to do is to learn how to sift through the vast amount of data that is available about cancer treatment. Advice and support from friends and survivors can be a great benefit to patients, but the advice received may not be the best information that is available for that person and his or her personal situation. Because of this, some hospitals and cancer centers have setup a “cancer coaches” program where trained volunteers agree to work with newly diagnosed patients to help them get the right information for their diagnosis.

The key to a successful cancer coaching session is for the coach to really listen to and advocate for the patient at hand. The coaches receive training on the latest research and are expected to help the patient navigate the complex world of cancer treatment. They are there to ask questions and to give good advice about the latest options.

The three most important things a coach can provide a patient are:

1. Support
2. Resources
3. Objectivity

The third element is especially important for many patients, especially elderly or other older individuals who may be more susceptible to outside influence.

Many of these coaches are themselves cancer survivors, so their advocacy for the patient will also have a personal element to it. They can augment support groups and as long as they stay objective with the advice given, can provide a great resource to help new patients through this complex world.

Labels: cancer, mesothelioma