The essential role of fast internet in breast cancer telehealth appointments

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to supporting the millions of women who are currently battling or have survived breast cancer. For those undergoing treatment, the journey is often filled with medical appointments, consultations, and follow-ups, which can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Telehealth has become a vital part of that journey, offering women the ability to receive the care they need from the comfort of their homes. But for telehealth to be effective, having fast, reliable internet is crucial.

At Quantum Fiber, we understand how important it is for breast cancer patients to stay connected with their healthcare teams. A dependable internet connection helps ensure that you can access vital information, attend virtual appointments, and manage your health with few disruptions. Let’s explore how fast internet plays a critical role in breast cancer telehealth appointments and how it can make a difference in your care journey during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond.

Feel free to jump to the sections that interest you the most:

• The rise of telehealth in breast cancer
• How fast internet improves telehealth experience
• Multi-gig Speeds 
• Consequences of poor internet
• How to help ensure you have fast internet for telehealth
• Real-life impact
• Stay connected & supported

The rise of telehealth in breast cancer care

Telehealth has transformed the way breast cancer care is delivered. For many women undergoing treatment or those in recovery, traveling to frequent in-person appointments can be draining. Telehealth offers a solution by allowing patients to connect with their healthcare providers remotely, saving time, energy, and stress. The key benefits include:

• Convenience: Eliminate the need to travel for appointments, allowing you to focus on your health from the comfort of home.
• Access to specialists: Telehealth connects you to breast cancer specialists and oncologists, even if they’re located far from where you live.
• Emotional comfort: Managing your care from a familiar environment can help reduce anxiety and stress associated with in-person visits.
• Safety: Telehealth reduces exposure to infections, a vital consideration for immunocompromised patients in active treatment.

While telehealth offers significant advantages, a smooth experience is highly dependent on the speed and reliability of your internet connection.

How fast internet improves the telehealth experience for breast cancer patients

A fast, reliable internet connection is essential for high-quality telehealth appointments. Here’s how it can significantly improve your virtual healthcare experience:

1. Clear video and audio quality

For breast cancer patients, every conversation with a healthcare provider is critical. Clear video and audio help ensure you’re able to see and hear your doctors with virtually minimal interruptions, making sure no important details about your care or treatment are lost.

2. Minimal lag time

Lag during a telehealth appointment can make it difficult to communicate in real-time, causing frustration and potential miscommunication. High-speed internet minimizes lag, allowing for seamless conversations with your care team.

3. Fast access to medical records and resources

Quick access to your medical history, test results, and imaging is crucial for timely decision-making. Fast internet speeds allow you to download and review essential documents without delay.

4. Seamless integration with health apps

Many patients use mobile health apps to monitor symptoms, track medications, and log side effects. A fast internet connection helps ensure that these apps sync efficiently, providing your healthcare team with real-time updates.

For most patients, 200 Mbps (Megabits per second) is sufficient to handle telehealth appointments, video calls, and basic internet tasks. However, larger households or those with more demanding internet needs may require faster speeds.

If you need faster speeds: Multi-gig plans from Quantum Fiber

While speeds of up 200 Mbps are ideal for most telehealth appointments, you may need higher speeds if your household has multiple users or devices streaming, gaming, or working online simultaneously. Quantum Fiber offers a range of plans that cater to different levels of internet usage:

1. Speeds of up to 200 Mbps

More than enough to support telehealth appointments, streaming, and everyday internet usage for most households. This speed helps ensure smooth video calls with your healthcare providers with hardly any lag or buffering.

2. Speeds of up to 500 Mbps

Ideal for households with multiple users who are simultaneously working from home, attending virtual school, or using various streaming services. This plan provides ample bandwidth to help ensure all activities run smoothly.

3. Speeds of up to 940 Mbps

If you have a large household with multiple devices in use, speeds of up to 940 Mbps deliver ultra-fast speeds, making them great for larger families who need consistent, high-speed connectivity for telehealth, streaming in 4K, and downloading large files.

4. Multi-gig speeds:

• Up to 2 Gig: Great for heavy internet users or those who require fast upload and download speeds, such as content creators or professionals who work from home.
• Up to 3 Gig: Best suited for tech-savvy households or homes that rely on multiple devices and smart technology.
• Up to 8 Gig: The ultimate option for large families, home-based businesses, or smart homes that demand top-tier internet speeds for the most intensive tasks.

If your household uses the internet for more than just telehealth, our multi-gig plans are great for providing the speeds you need to stay connected without compromise.

The consequences of poor internet during telehealth appointments

Slow or unreliable internet can severely disrupt your breast cancer telehealth appointments, leading to missed information and increased stress. Here are some of the negative effects of poor internet connectivity:

1. Disruptions in communication

Dropped calls, low video quality, and lagging audio can make it difficult for you and your healthcare provider to communicate effectively. This can result in missed instructions, incomplete information, or delays in treatment.

2. Missed appointments

Unreliable internet can prevent you from joining your telehealth appointment on time or cause the session to be interrupted altogether. Missed appointments can delay important follow-up care or adjustments to your treatment plan.

3. Increased frustration and stress

Breast cancer patients already have enough to manage, and unreliable internet only adds to the stress. Navigating your care should be as smooth as possible, and poor connectivity can hinder your ability to focus on what matters most—your health.

How to help ensure you have fast internet for telehealth sessions

If you’re concerned about your internet speed affecting your telehealth appointments, here are some steps to make sure your connection is optimal:

1. Check your internet speed

Quantum Fiber recommends a minimum speed of 10 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload for video calls. However, higher speeds will improve the overall experience, especially if there are multiple people using the internet at the same time.

2. Upgrade your internet plan

If you’re experiencing slow speeds or connection issues, consider upgrading to one of our higher-speed plans, such as speeds of up 500 Mbps, up to 940 Mbps, or multi-gig plans. These faster speeds will help ensure smooth telehealth appointments and prevent connectivity problems.

3. Use a wired connection

Whenever possible, use an Ethernet cable to connect your device directly to your modem or router. This provides a more stable connection compared to WiFi, reducing the chance of disruptions during telehealth appointments.

4. Minimize internet use during appointments

To minimize lag, limit the number of devices using the internet during your telehealth appointment. Close unnecessary applications or disconnect non-essential devices to help ensure you’re getting the best performance during your session.

Real-life impact: Telehealth in breast cancer care

For many women, fast internet has played a vital role in their breast cancer care journey. Here are some examples of how reliable internet has made a difference:

• Uninterrupted communication: Patients have been able to have in-depth conversations with their oncologists, helping ensure they fully understand their treatment plans and options.
• Mental health support: Fast internet has allowed patients to attend virtual counseling sessions and online support groups without the worry of dropped calls or poor connections, providing emotional support during a challenging time.
• Convenience and accessibility: Reliable internet has made it easier for patients to manage their health, from accessing medical records to staying informed about their care without leaving home.

Stay connected and supported during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to acknowledge the role that fast, reliable internet plays in supporting breast cancer patients through telehealth. Whether you’re managing your treatment plan, speaking with specialists, or seeking emotional support, having a dependable connection can help ensure that you can access the care and resources you need with ease.

At Quantum Fiber, we are committed to providing the fast, reliable internet that helps you stay connected with your healthcare team. From up to 200 Mbps for telehealth appointments to multi-gig speeds for larger households, we have the right plan to meet your needs.