Cancer is a group of diseases that involve abnormal cell growth that may invade or spread to other parts of the body. It is possible for cancer to affect any organ or tissue in the body and cause a variety of symptoms, depending on its stage and type. It is possible to treat cancer with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these treatments.
With direct primary care (DPC), patients receive unlimited access to their primary care physician for a fixed monthly fee. As DPC physicians do not accept insurance or third-party payments, they are able to reduce administrative costs and provide personalized care. Patients with cancer can receive the following benefits from DPC:
By phone, email, text, or video chat, DPC patients can reach their physician at any time. Same-day and next-day appointments are also available without long waits or referrals, so patients can receive prompt treatment and evaluation, as well as follow-up care and symptom management.
Comprehensive and coordinated care: DPC physicians provide a wide range of cancer services, including screenings, diagnoses, staging, referrals, monitoring, supportive care, palliative care, and survivorship care. Whenever necessary, they can coordinate with specialists, including oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists. In addition to navigating the complex and costly health care system, DPC physicians can also advocate for the best interests of cancer patients.
By educating patients about cancer prevention strategies, such as avoiding tobacco use, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and protecting from the sun, DPC physicians can help them prevent further complications and recurrence. Providing counseling, support groups, referrals, and resources can also help address the physical, emotional, and social aspects of cancer recovery.
Compared to traditional fee-for-service patients, DPC patients have lower rates of hospitalization, emergency department visits, specialist consultations, and diagnostic tests. Cancer patients can benefit from earlier detection, faster treatment initiation, reduced complications, less toxicity, and better quality of life as a result of this.
Patients with DPCs pay a fixed monthly fee that covers most of their primary care needs. In addition, DPC physicians and their partners offer medications, labs, imaging studies, and procedures at lower prices. By doing so, cancer patients can avoid surprise bills and hidden fees and save money on health care expenses.
DPC patients report higher satisfaction with their primary care experience than fee-for-service patients. They appreciate the longer and more frequent visits with their physician, the enhanced communication and trust, the personalized and attentive care, and the reduced hassle and stress.
A DPC physician can tailor the approach to cancer management to the specific needs and preferences of each patient. Screening tests include mammography, colonoscopy, Pap smear, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, or low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan. They can also adjust the frequency and timing of screening tests based on the patient's risk factors and family history. To obtain tissue samples for diagnosis, they can perform biopsy or aspiration.
Besides providing pain relief, nausea control, fatigue management, infection prevention, wound care, nutrition counseling, and emotional support, DPC physicians can also provide supportive care for cancer patients. They can also recommend complementary therapies for cancer relief, such as massage therapy, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, or music therapy.
Additionally, DPC physicians can provide palliative care to patients who have advanced cancer. They can provide symptom relief, comfort measures, end-of-life planning, hospice referrals, and bereavement support.
For patients who have completed cancer treatment, DPC physicians can provide survivorship care, including surveillance testing, long-term side effect management, health promotion, risk reduction, and psychosocial support.
As Lance Armstrong said,
“Cancer is a word, not a sentence.”
Patients with cancer can achieve optimal health and well-being with the help of DPC physicians.
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