What to Do After a Cancer Diagnosis
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is one of life’s most difficult moments. It can bring feelings of fear, uncertainty, and countless questions about what comes next. During this time, clear guidance and compassionate support are essential.
At the Cancer Center of Southern California, we provide expert, compassionate care for patients facing cancer, especially when options seem limited. Our goal is to help you understand your diagnosis, explore every available treatment path, and move forward with confidence.
What to Expect After a Cancer Diagnosis
At the Cancer Center of Southern California, we guide patients through a clear process that focuses on accuracy, safety, and personalized planning.
1. Confirming the Diagnosis
Before planning and beginning treatment, our team reviews your biopsy results, pathology reports, and medical records. In many cases, additional testing may be recommended to confirm the exact type and stage of cancer. This careful step ensures that your treatment plan is built on the latest and most accurate information possible.
2. Imaging & Laboratory Tests
Advanced imaging and lab work are performed to understand your cancer and to guide treatment decisions.
- X-ray
- Computed Tomography (CT/CAT scan)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Mammogram
- Positron Electron Tomography (PET Scan)
- Echocardiogram (EKG)
- Ultrasound
- Bone Scan
- PET/CT Scan
3. Meeting with Your Oncologist
During the consultation, you will sit down with our experienced oncologist to review test results and what they mean. We will explain your prognosis, outline available treatment options, and answer your questions. This meeting is also the time to involve your loved ones in the discussion.
4. Developing a Treatment Plan
Your case is carefully reviewed in collaboration with expert pathologists, oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and other specialists. We collaborate with leading institutions, such as UCLA, USC, Stanford, MD Anderson, and Cedars-Sinai, to ensure you receive the deepest level of insight.
Your plan may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, or clinical trials that are not widely available elsewhere.
5. Support Along the Way
Our comprehensive care extends beyond medical treatment. Our team provides:
- Resources for emotional and mental health support for patients
- Guidance with insurance and financial assistance programs
- Assistance with travel and accommodations for out-of-town patients
Second Opinions for Advanced & Complex Cases
Patients from around the country turn to us when they have run out of options. At our center, “no options” does not mean the end of the road. We specialize in finding new possibilities for complex and late-stage cancers
Our Founder, Dr. Sant P. Chawla, is a pioneer in oncology with more than 30 years of research and clinical trial experience. Under his guidance, our center specializes in various types of complex and late-stage cancer cases.
A second opinion at our center can:
- Reconfirm your diagnosis and tumor staging with fresh expertise
- Review pathology slides and imaging in detail
- Assess eligibility for clinical trials, including access for HMO and Kaiser Permanente patients
- Explore newer therapies or compassionate use (single-patient IND) when trials are not an option
- Offer guidance and options when standard treatments have failed
Why Patients Choose Us
- Faster access: Patients are often seen within days, not months, unlike at larger institutions.
- More clinical trial opportunities: We are one of the leading enrollers in many national trials, including options for HMO and Kaiser patients.
- Personalized treatment strategies: From advanced therapies to compassionate use INDs, we look for options others may not.
- Whole-person care: Our approach prioritizes both outcomes and quality of life.
- Trusted expertise: Dr. Chawla and our team are recognized nationwide for advancing cancer research and patient-centered care.
How to Get Started
We make it simple to begin your care at the Cancer Center of Southern California.
- Call or Schedule Online
Call us at 310-552-9999 or use our secure online form to request an appointment. We aim to offer same-week consultations whenever possible.
- Gather Your Medical Records
Bring recent test results, imaging scans, biopsy reports, and any prior treatment history to the consultation.
- Prepare Your Questions
Write down any questions or concerns ahead of time about treatment choices, timelines, and possible side effects. We also encourage you to bring a family member or friend for support.
Take the Next Step Toward Expert Cancer Care
If you have just received a cancer diagnosis, we can guide you with clarity and compassion and help you access treatments that may not be widely available yet.
To schedule an appointment, call us at 310-552-9999 or request an appointment online.
