Why Be an Assertive Cancer Patient?

There are at least three good reasons to be an assertive cancer patient:
* You will get better care.
* You will probably live longer.
* You will feel better about yourself and your illness.

This Blog Is for You
There is nothing like being stripped of your own clothing (and identity) and dressed in a backless cotton hospital gown to make the most self-confident among us feel like children. Suddenly, we find ourselves embarrassingly dependent on our doctors and their opinions of us.

Even people who are comfortably assertive in various aspects of daily life typically do not bring this same assertive style with them into a medical setting. There are a number of reasons for this, including the strong emotions that come with the diagnosis of a serious, potentially life-threatening illness, and our socialization to be “good patients.” In addition, the medical world is an alien culture for most of us, with its own language, hierarchy, and rules--one that takes some getting used to.

I am writing this blog to help people with cancer who, like me, realize that if there was ever a time to be assertive, it is when faced with cancer. Even if you are mostly positive and self-confident, you will probably find these skills deserting you when you enter a doctor’s office.

Many people who do NOT see themselves as assertive will realize that they need these skills when faced with a cancer diagnosis. Being assertive does not mean you are brash or demanding, and it certainly doesn’t mean you are rude or aggressive. Rather, it means that you are calm, positive, and in control of your life and your health.

Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with cancer for some time, I hope this blog will help you take the best possible care of yourself and get the best possible care from your health-care team as well.

Read more:

You Will Get Better Care

You Will Probably Live Longer

You Will Feel Better About Yourself and Your Illness

@ Jeanne Sather 2006

Comments

[Jeanne Sather]

Maybe you don't need to be assertive to get better care from your doctors--a new study in Britain suggests that patients who "look rich" get more time and attention from doctors.

So dress up next time you go to the doctor?

Here's the link to the story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5389356.stm

[Rachel]

I really do think your message is very important. I've heard so many women complain about things that could be remedied by being more assertive, like their ob/gyn exam experiences. I always encourage them to speak up, and that it's perfectly appropriate to call an end to the exam and leave (and find a new doc) if their needs are ignored (such as in a needlessly painful exam). A bit of context from my own experience:

-A clinician recently tried to give me a penicillin shot for strep throat. I'm very allergic, which I had to tell them, despite the fact that it's in my medical record and on every form I've ever filled out, every time I've ever been there.

-I had a broken kneecap for 6 weeks because the ER docs thought it was just a dislocation that would heal on it's own. It wasn't, and I ended up having surgery after getting a second opinion.

-It took me nearly two years to have my thyroid condition diagnosed. I was told everything from "You're just too stressed" (when I was so tired I went to get checked for mono) to "All my nurses are tired, too." Grrr.

-My mom had to have a hysterectomy because of undetected cervical cancer and months of ignored complaints.

I can definitely relate. Thanks for doing the work you're doing on your blog.