How do I pick a physician after my cancer diagnosis?
In the midst of receiving a cancer diagnosis, women must gather information and make difficult decisions about their treatment. Fear, shock, numbness and disbelief have to be set aside in order to take a step and begin the process of selecting the best treatment plan for yourself.
Usually the first step is to select a Breast Surgeon or Surgical Oncologist. What is the difference you may ask? Both a breast surgeon and surgical oncologist have been trained to treat cancer by removing the tumor or other cancer tissues.
You will want to make an consultation appointment with the breast surgeon or surgical oncologist. As you “interview” the physician, ask questions about your diagnosis, options for treatment follow by statistics that support your treatment options.
The most important thing that will happen during this consultation is the beginning of a relationship. If you do not click, find another physician. You will spend the next 2 to 5 years with this physician so it is imperative that you feel comfortable with them.
If your treatment plan includes chemo or radiation, generally, your breast surgeon will partner with the physicians for both treatments. Again, make a consultation appointment to “interview” the physician and make sure they are a good fit for you.
What do I look for in a breast surgeon or surgical oncologist?
There are a couple things you want to note.
Review patient outcomes
Does the surgeon demonstrate safe patient care?
Are they board eligible, or board certified by the American Board of Surgery (breast surgeon) or American Board of Plastic Surgery (reconstructive surgery)
How many years have they been practicing?
Where did he/she train?
How often do they perform the specific procedure you are considering? (lumpectomy, mastectomy, Diep Flap, etc.)
There are three different physicians you may work with during your cancer treatment.
Surgical Oncology
Medical Oncology
Radiation Oncology
A surgical oncologist is a breast cancer surgeon with a specialty in surgery. Their training and experience will be in diseases of the breast including breast cancer.
A medical oncologist is an internist with a specialty or residency in the medical oncology which is a study of and use of systemic therapies or treatments, that treat the entire body. It includes the use of chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
A radiation oncologist is a physician who completes a residency in the treatment of cancer with radiation therapy.
Not everyone is treated with these three treatments nor will they be given in the same order. You may due surgery, chemo, and then radiation. Or chemo, surgery and then radiation. Usually radiation is last after the tumor or cancer tissue has been removed by surgery or shrunk by chemo.
If you are afforded the time to meet and select your physicians, then take your time and do so. Unless they send directly to the hospital to be treated, you have time. Make the time. It is important to trust and feel comfortable with them because that will make your treatment more effective.
Your Breast Friend,
Edie