Cancer: this is how you get good and fast help

There are quite a few differences in care and treatment at hospitals. For example, in 2010 research commissioned by the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF Kankerbestrijding) showed that some hospitals achieve better results than others with complex, risky interventions. “Cancer care in the Netherlands is of a high standard and much has improved since our research”, says project leader for quality of care Pieternel Geurts of KWF Kankerbestrijding. “But it’s good to know that as a patient you have a choice.”

‘Know thyself’ is the watchword when choosing where you want to be treated. Are you someone who likes to be in control? Or do you prefer to rely on your doctor who has studied before? Ultimately, it’s about what suits you best.

The best treatment

The choice of a hospital can be important, especially in rare cancers. If they have little experience with the treatment of certain tumors, the patient has a greater chance of complications or even death.

“When a doctor does a difficult procedure more often, he gets it in his fingers and in his head,” says Pieternel Geurts. That is why doctors have established in which hospitals patients may be treated in rare forms of cancer.” info line of the KWF.

What about common types like chest, lung and prostate cancer? “Most hospitals, including regional hospitals, have sufficient expertise in-house,” says Geurts. Doctors from regional institutions discuss all their patients with practitioners from specialized hospitals. Geurts: “Patients can therefore be confident that they are receiving the right treatment.”

Usually then, because there are still hospitals that score worse than average. For example, the number of patients in whom cancer tissue remains after a breast-conserving operation varies from zero to 28 percent, according to figures collected by the Breast Cancer Patients Association.

Furthermore, some hospitals have more modern equipment than others. A Da Vinci robot, for example, with which tumors in prostate cancer can be removed much more precisely. There is also variation in treatments that are offered. A breast cancer patient who is told by one doctor that her breast must be amputated can sometimes go elsewhere for breast-conserving surgery.

The fastest treatment

Waiting times also differ per hospital. “Most patients want to be helped as soon as possible,” says Marga Visser of the KWF Kanker Infolijn. Very understandable, but she still advises patients to be well informed if this is urgently necessary. “That differs greatly per cancer type. Sometimes it can’t hurt if you have to wait a little longer.” This gives you more time to find out which hospital is the right place for you.

For example, are you constantly sent from one doctor to another? Or is there one person who is primarily responsible for ensuring that all interventions are properly coordinated? How much attention is paid to guidance and aftercare? Is there someone you can always turn to with questions? How is the atmosphere and the treatment?

Marga Visser: “These are things that patients often say afterwards: I should have paid more attention to that.” She tells of a man who was referred to a specialized hospital because he thought he would be better off there. Afterwards he regretted that traveling took a lot of energy. He also found it depressing to only meet cancer patients. “Of course it’s nice if you get the best doctor, but it’s often not all that matters.”

Trust the doctor

Having something to choose from doesn’t make everyone happy. Marga Visser also speaks to cancer patients who become very uneasy about the idea that they have to arrange their own treatment as a director. “Can I just trust my doctor?” they sometimes ask in despair. Visser: “Trust is a great asset, which we as a society are in danger of losing. Everyone believes that patients have the right to good information, but that should not become a compulsion to make a choice.”