As a person facing cancer, you may be gathering cancer information, making appointments, getting test results, and learning about treatment options. One way to avoid feeling overwhelmed is to become well organized.

Organization allows you to make decisions and act in a calm and timely way. Many people find that being organized helps them gain control over all the information they receive. The following suggestions may help you organize your cancer care.

Filing information

A large part of managing your cancer care involves organizing information. A filing cabinet or simple desktop divider with individual folders in alphabetical order keeps needed information all in one place and makes the information quick and easy to find. Your files may include these items:

• Appointment notes, to keep track of the information from each doctor
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• Cancer-specific information on your type of cancer, such as articles from this Web site or others
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• Contact information for doctors, hospitals, insurers, and others important in your care, including phone numbers to reach someone during non-business hours
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• Finances
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• Insurance
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• Medical history, including your current medications and diagnostic and treatment histories. These can be very important if you change doctors, have a recurrence, or if your original medical records are lost or destroyed.
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• A copy of your treatment plan and summary, which has information about your cancer, treatment, and follow-up care

File new information as soon as possible, so it doesn't get misplaced. As files on general topics grow larger over time, break them up into more specific topics.

Organize for appointments

For each appointment, consider writing down the address and phone number of the office, and a written list of any questions you may want to ask the doctor. Arrange for any needed transportation at least one week in advance, then confirm the date and time again one day before.

Organizing finances

• Enlist the help of a friend or family member to keep track of your regular monthly bills or consider using a bill-paying service to help keep your payments on time.
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• Try to decide ahead of time how to adjust your budget to deal with any loss of income resulting from less time at work, or expenses that are not covered by insurance. Consider making special arrangements with creditors.
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• Keep current copies of all insurance policies and refer to them by name and number in any communications with insurers.
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• Keep a written record of any conversations with insurance company representatives, including the date, name of the person you spoke with, and what was said. Put the newest records at the front of the file, so the history of those dealings is always clear and up-to-date.

Everything in its place

Having one place in the home and/or office for those things you need regularly, such as prescription medications, can prevent frustration and save time that might otherwise be spent searching.

Writing down each task you need to accomplish between appointments, and putting a check mark beside each one when you complete it helps you mark your progress.

Additional Resources

American Cancer Society: Tools to Monitor Treatment

More Information

Managing Your Care