Before starting treatment
10 things to do before starting treatment:
Take control of your health
✓ One of the 10 key healing factors identified by Dr Kelly Turner
Studies suggest that people who take control of their physical, mental, and spiritual health tend to live longer. See Take control of your health
Have strong reasons for living
✓ One of the 10 key healing factors identified by Dr Kelly Turner
A strong reason to live – like wanting to see your children grow up – can affect your mental state and survival. See Have strong reasons for living
Follow your Intuition
✓ One of the 10 key healing factors identified by Dr Kelly Turner
Intuition (a hunch) is the ability to understand something instinctively. It can save your life if you follow it.
See Follow your intuition
Talk to a cancer coach
A Cancer Coach can advise about your proposed treatment plan and ways to increase your chance of returning to full health. See Talk to a cancer coach
Learn all you can about your cancer type
Info about your type of cancer (from the National Cancer Institute), along with treatment updates that may aid your recovery. See Learn about your cancer type
Get a second opinion
Get a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment plan – especially if cancer was detected during routine screening. See Get a second opinion
Check all your treatment options
Check out all your treatment options. Learn about Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative (Standard + Complementary combined) treatments. See Cancer Treatment Options
Ask the right questions about proposed Treatment Plan
When discussing any proposed treatment plan with your oncology team it is vital that you ask the right questions. See Ask the right questions
Having chemo? Request a Sensitivity Test
If you’re having chemo this test will shows which drug or natural substance will work best for your cancer. See Request a Chemosensitivity Test
Compile a Personal Health Record (PHR)
Your PHR (copies of tests, x-rays etc) is compiled and maintained by you. Having copies of x-rays could save you from repeat exposure if original images are lost.
See Compile a Personal Health Record
Page updated August 2025