UCLA Journal of Radiation Oncology APRIL 2022 - Flipbook - Page 14
UCLA RADIATION ONCOLOGY JOURNAL
The next step for McEwen will be another
surgery to reconnect his plumbing from
the ileostomy, an opening doctors made
in his abdominal wall to drain intestinal
wastes.
and processed foods than typically found
in the American diet.
Advocate for yourself
Dr. Kazanjian encourages patients to be
assertive, like McEwen was, insisting that
they get answers from their doctors. “It
pays to be your own advocate when you
know that something just does not feel
right with your health,” he said.
"Surprisingly, that part was not as bad
to deal with as I thought it would be,"
McEwen said of the ileostomy. "I was not
looking forward to it, but it really hasn't
been a problem. Of course, I am looking
forward to the reattachment surgery and
being done with all that."
McEwen recommends that everyone,
regardless of age, lean toward finding out
the cause of any pain or other symptoms–
and seek help from medical professionals.
Dr. Anand said he will then monitor his
patient for five years, and "extremely
closely for two to three years,” watching
for any signs of cancer returning. He
will use lab tests such as tumor markers
and CT scans, as well as a relatively new
technology called circulating tumor DNA
(ctDNA).
“When I first started researching my
symptoms, Google became my best friend
and worst enemy,” he said. “I imagined
all kinds of diseases, especially anything
that any family members had gone
through. But honestly, it’s very hard to
diagnose yourself. It is better to have really
good doctors help you to figure out the
problem.”
It Takes a Team
The teamwork of physicians involved
in McEwen's treatment is typical of the
multidisciplinary approach UCLA uses to
treat cancer patients, Dr. Kazanjian said.
"Often the process will involve physicians
that the patient never sees, but who are
involved in the diagnosis and treatment
that we pursue for the best outcome for the
patient," he said.
He said he tells patients to think long-term
about beating their cancer and for future
prevention, especially recommending
healthier diet choices and exercise.
"We try to tell them that the process of
treatment is a marathon, not a sprint," Dr.
Kazanjian said. "It's a journey, a multi-step
process, where you don't just go in and get
one thing fixed and you're done."
Despite the ordeal of the treatment that
was to come, McEwen said that after his
cancer diagnosis sunk in, he could find
some calm in knowing that the root of his
pain could be addressed medically and
that eventually he would find relief.
"Yeah, it's scary to think about having a
serious medical issue, but it's always better
to find out and know what it is than to be
left in the dark," he said. "What I found out
is that the technology has come so far, and
the treatments for cancer are so amazing,
that it might not be as bad as your worst
fears.” ☐
Contributed by: Tina Daunt
Dr. Anand, Dr. Raldow and Dr. Kazanjian
all recommend the "Mediterranean diet,"
with more fresh vegetables, and less meat
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