Common Questions, Department of Radiation Oncology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina

        The American Cancer Society (ACS) Hope Lodge concept meets the physical, financial, and emotional needs of cancer patients by providing them with a place to stay free of charge for as long as needed.
        The ACS McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge offers 20 guest suites with living room, bedrooms, and private baths to patients undergoing extended periods of outpatient treatment at area cancer treatment centers. The lodge serves cancer patients and caregivers each year on a first-come, first-served basis.

What are the eligibility criteria for the Hope Lodge?

        Our social worker makes all the necessary arrangements with the Hope Lodge. As of this writing, these were the Hope Lodge's eligibility criteria:
1. You are over 18 years of age.
2. You are traveling more than 40 miles from your home to the hospital.
3. Your need to visit the cancer treatment facility to receive treatment either a minimum of 3 consecutive days, or at least 3 days a week.
4. You have a permanent residence and will supply the Hope Lodge upon your arrival with a copy of your driver's license or other proof of residence (Utility bill, State ID card, etc.).
5. You agree to stay at the Lodge only between the start date and end date of your treatment as specified on the referral form.
6. You have a caregiver who has agreed to stay with you for the duration of your treatment. If not, you have obtained the necessary written approval from your physician.
7. You are able to care for yourself, evacuate the premises in case of emergency, and prepare your meals (or do so with the assistance of your caregiver).
8. You are not currently under parole for a felony charge, and have not been convicted of a felony within the past 5 years.
9. You agree to be admitted no sooner than one day prior to treatment initiation and will vacate the Lodge no later than 24 hours following completion of treatment.

I have a lot of questions on radiotherapy, where do I start?

        Our patient resources section is a good starting point. One good website that covers common radiotherapy questions is http://www.rtanswers.org which was created by members of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) to help people living with a diagnosis of cancer and their families better understand their treatment options.

Should I get a second opinion?

        It is wise to "shop around" and explore the various treatment options you might have available to make a truly informed decision. Both intentionally and unintentionally, physicians can be biased in their treatment recommendations. You should be aware that there are three main modalities for treating cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy; each of these modalities is represented by specially trained oncologic surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Each treatment modality has its unique advantages and disadvantages. Modern cancer treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach because a single treatment modality is often not enough. Consulting with physicians that represent the three main treatment modalities, although not always necessary, will give you the best chance of making an informed decision.

What are the treatment options for my cancer?

        Cancer treatment, like any medical treatment, requires an individualized approach. In addition to your individual characteristics, there are two key elements that will help guide your treatment options: cancer stage and cancer cell type. There are cancer treatment guidelines such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, which is a good starting point if you have a medical background. The National Cancer Institute has excellent information tailored to patients on most cancer types. Making a cancer treatment choice is often an overwhelming process for both patients and their families. The first step is to choose your cancer team to assist you in the decision process. For additional information look at our patient resources section.

Do you have radiation therapy pamphlets?

        Yes, these pamphlets from the RT answers website are a good start.

Is it true that surgery causes cancer to spread by exposing it to air?

        Although this is a surgical question, it is an important and common one. Despite negative imaging scans before surgery, sometimes it is only during surgery that the surgeon discovers that the tumor has already spread to other organs. This is because direct visual, manual, and pathologic examination of the tumor area, lymph nodes, and adjacent organs yields additional staging information that imaging scans can miss. If tumor spread is discovered, some patients think that the surgical procedure caused it, when in fact it was there all along. This has help create the myth that surgery causes cancer to spread when exposed to air. Unfortunately, this belief is quite common in Eastern North Carolina.