Cancer HorizonsAll NewsBlogsCaregivingDiet and ExerciseFinancialPsychosocialRecipesSexual HealthSide EffectSponsoredSurvivorship
All VideosCURE ConnectionsCURE Expert Connections®CURE Speaking OutCURE TVEducated Patient Sound BitesOn Demand: Webinars
Conference Coverage Conference Listing
CURE AdventuresCURE AwardsEducated Patient In Person EducationEducated Patient Virtual Education
Advocacy GroupsArt GalleryClinical Trial CornerHeal®PartnersPodcastsPublicationsShare Your Story
Subscribe
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
Spotlight -
  • Blogs
  • Breast Cancer Webinar Series
  • Cancer Horizons
  • Clinical Trial Corner
  • Heal®
  • Publications
  • Videos
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
    • Subscribe
Advertisement

Publication

Article

March 21, 2023

CURE

Spring 2023
Volume22
Issue 1

Navigating Cancer Test Results

Author(s):

Kathleen O'Brien

An expert recommends that people who are anxious wait until the doctor’s office or clinic is open before clicking on the email that holds their test results.

As of October 2022, health care providers and health technology and information networks are prohibited from blocking patients’ access to their medical records — except for certain rare exceptions.

That means most patients who see a medical provider or are given any kind of test can see clinical notes and test results as soon as they are posted online.

For some, that access may lead to an abundance of stress knowing if the results reveal a person’s cancer has returned or progressed. Others, however, may welcome the availability of those findings even if an oncologist has not yet read the results.

READ MORE: Falling Into the 'Alice in Wonderland' Google Hole of Cancer Results

“If it’s bad news, (people) can grieve a little bit and therefore be prepared and have a more productive conversation,” says Lila Pereira, a pediatric psychologist at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, New York.

Pereira adds that parents of children with cancer may be more welcoming of knowing their child’s test results before an appointment so they can prepare a list of questions.

This new right to see test results before hearing from one’s doctor means every patient must now come up with a strategy for handling this shift in how they receive news.

Pereira recommends that people who are anxious wait until the doctor’s office or clinic is open before clicking on the email that holds their test results.

“You want to delay your curiosity until you have access to people for support or to ask questions in the event of confusing or bad news,” she says.

Experts also suggest people take control over when — and in what setting — they read the results.

Dr. Christine Masterson, a gynecologist who serves on the Cures Act committee at Summit Health, a large practice, advises patients who know they will see an email before hearing from their doctor might want to have some emotional support lined up in case the news is bad.

“Open it with a family member,” she said, “Or have someone on speed dial.”


For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

Download Issue PDF
Articles in this issue

Nurse, clipboard and pen for checklist with patient, healthcare service and medical information. Closeup doctor hands writing documents, research and questions for report, planning and wellness admin | Image credit ©  C Davids/peopleimages.com stock.adobe.com
Navigating Cancer Test Results
DEBORAH CARPENTER and others participated in this year's virtual 110 Mile-a-Day Challenge.
‘I Was Winning and the Cancer Wasn’t’
Seeking Another Cancer Perspective
Seeking Another Cancer Perspective
Developmental Pathways: A Key to Effective Treatments for Lymphoid Malignancies
Developmental Pathways: A Key to Effective Treatments for Lymphoid Malignancies
New Myeloma Therapies Are ‘A Huge Improvement for the Field’
New Myeloma Therapies Are ‘A Huge Improvement for the Field’
Falling Into the 'Alice in Wonderland' Google Hole of Cancer Results
Falling Into the 'Alice in Wonderland' Google Hole of Cancer Results
Art as Cancer Therapy
Art as Cancer Therapy
Going the Distance After a Cancer Diagnosis
Going the Distance After a Cancer Diagnosis
Better Nutrition Can Help People With Cancer
Better Nutrition Can Help People With Cancer
BTK Inhibitors Offer a Revolutionary Treatment of Relapsed CLL/SLL
BTK Inhibitors Offer a Revolutionary Treatment of Relapsed CLL/SLL
Croupier behind gambling table in a casino. credit: Nejron Photo stock.adobe.com
Playing the Odds in the Poker Game of Life With Cancer
An Innovative Approach to Chemotherapy
An Innovative Approach to Chemotherapy

Newsletter

Stay up to date on cancer updates, research and education

Subscribe Now!
Related Content
Advertisement
TIL therapy is on the rise in melanoma, with potential for other tumor types.
July 6th 2025

Empowering the Immune System

Darlene Dobkowski, MA
TIL therapy is on the rise in melanoma, with potential for other tumor types.
Cancer touches everyone — cutting across religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status: © stock.adobe.com.
July 5th 2025

Funding for Cancer Research: Hope in a State of Fear

Dr. Joshua K. Sabari
Cancer is nonpartisan. It touches everyone — cutting across religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status.
A significant development in the treatment of advanced melanoma has recently emerged: © stock.adobe.com.
July 3rd 2025

A New Frontier in Melanoma Treatment

Mike Hennessy Jr.
A significant development in the treatment of advanced melanoma has recently emerged: tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy.
Image of hand.
June 10th 2025

Oncology Nurse Amanda Snyder Turns Personal Experience Into Advocacy

Jeanine Pronio
Amanda Snyder, a cancer survivor, became an oncology nurse to provide support she once lacked, now leading innovative therapies for patients.
How artificial intelligence is being used to augment the work of experts treating patients with prostate cancer.
June 7th 2025

Utilizing AI in Prostate Cancer Care and Management

Alex Biese
How artificial intelligence is being used to augment the work of experts treating patients with prostate cancer.
CURE spoke with the principal investigator of a clinical trial evaluating a therapeutic vaccine in advanced kidney cancer: © stock.adobe.com.
June 6th 2025

Personalized Vaccine Elicits Responses in Patients With Kidney Cancer

Alex Biese
CURE spoke with the principal investigator of a clinical trial evaluating a therapeutic vaccine for patients with advanced kidney cancer.
Related Content
Advertisement
TIL therapy is on the rise in melanoma, with potential for other tumor types.
July 6th 2025

Empowering the Immune System

Darlene Dobkowski, MA
TIL therapy is on the rise in melanoma, with potential for other tumor types.
Cancer touches everyone — cutting across religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status: © stock.adobe.com.
July 5th 2025

Funding for Cancer Research: Hope in a State of Fear

Dr. Joshua K. Sabari
Cancer is nonpartisan. It touches everyone — cutting across religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status.
A significant development in the treatment of advanced melanoma has recently emerged: © stock.adobe.com.
July 3rd 2025

A New Frontier in Melanoma Treatment

Mike Hennessy Jr.
A significant development in the treatment of advanced melanoma has recently emerged: tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy.
Image of hand.
June 10th 2025

Oncology Nurse Amanda Snyder Turns Personal Experience Into Advocacy

Jeanine Pronio
Amanda Snyder, a cancer survivor, became an oncology nurse to provide support she once lacked, now leading innovative therapies for patients.
How artificial intelligence is being used to augment the work of experts treating patients with prostate cancer.
June 7th 2025

Utilizing AI in Prostate Cancer Care and Management

Alex Biese
How artificial intelligence is being used to augment the work of experts treating patients with prostate cancer.
CURE spoke with the principal investigator of a clinical trial evaluating a therapeutic vaccine in advanced kidney cancer: © stock.adobe.com.
June 6th 2025

Personalized Vaccine Elicits Responses in Patients With Kidney Cancer

Alex Biese
CURE spoke with the principal investigator of a clinical trial evaluating a therapeutic vaccine for patients with advanced kidney cancer.
About Us
Advertise / Support
Editorial Board
Contact Us
CancerNetwork.com
TargetedOnc.com
OncLive.com
OncNursingNews.com
Terms & Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.