Understanding Your Diagnosis of Cancer
There is no single test that can accurately diagnose cancer. The complete evaluation of a patient usually requires a thorough history and physical examination along with diagnostic testing. Many tests are needed to determine whether a person has cancer, or if another condition (such as an infection) is mimicking the symptoms of cancer.
The balance between mind, body, emotions and spirit can affect everyone living with cancer.
Living with cancer describes all the people whose lives are directly affected by a cancer diagnosis: the person with cancer, caregivers, and the people who live with them or are a close part of their lives.
You may hear healthcare professionals use different names to describe cancer that’s advanced beyond early stages, including advanced, secondary, metastatic, terminal and progressive cancer.
We define advanced cancer as a cancer that is unlikely to be cured.