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After a cancer diagnosis, you can feel very alone and very vulnerable. But
you will soon gather one of your strongest weapons in the fight for good health,
your medical support team. Learn what you can do to make the most of their
strengths, and why the most important player on that team...is you.
Your Role
Your doctors will assemble as a team to address your illness and its treatment,
but remember that you are the most important member of that team. While the
medical professionals will work hard to determine the most effective treatment
plan, you will be responsible to a large degree for carrying it out. Your
cooperation and feedback are essential to its success. So, work with your team
to follow the plan and to be sure that you are getting the support you need.
Make it your goal to be completely comfortable with your doctors. You should
feel completely free to ask questions and to expect answers that satisfy your
need to know everything possible about your condition and the plans for treating
it. As you learn more about cancer and the treatment decisions you and your team
need to make, you'll probably find that you have even more questions. Never
hesitate to ask for clarification if you don't fully understand what the doctor
is telling you.
Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with terms that may come up in your
discussions. A useful glossary is available at the WCRC Web site.
You may find it helpful to write down the your questions before keeping your
appointments, and to bring something to write on so that you can jot down anwers
you might forget. You might even send a note to the doctor before the
appointment, listing your questions or outlining your concerns. He or she may
not get a chance to read it before he meets with you, but it will be in the
chart for reference. Bring someone along with you if you think it would help you
to remember what you wanted to ask, or what the doctor tells you. Supportive
family and friends are also valuable members of your team.
Your condition is very important to your physicians, all of them, but you need
to remember that they see many other patients during a week or a month, and as
part of the team, you must take the responsibility for reminding them of any
special problem you are having, even if you've talked about it before. ("The
problem with nausea I told you about is still there. Is there something else we
could try?") Don't wait for them to ask you about it.
The Players and What They Do
Your team's medical professionals will work together to diagnose and treat your
condition, and monitor the results of treatment. You may find a number of people
involved in your care, including:
Primary Care Physician - Your Primary Care Physician is most often the doctor
whom you know best and who is most familiar with your medical needs. The Primary
Care Phyician is usually a family physician, although most internists and
pediatricians also provide primary care. This doctor provides continuing,
comprehensive medical care and is also responsible for referring you to
specialists when necessary, and coordinating and integrating all care and
treatment provided to you.
Medical Oncologist - The Medical Oncologist is physician who specializes in the
diagnosis and treatment of cancer, especially through chemotherapy. Certified by
the American Board of Internal Medicine, this cancer specialist manages the use
of chemotherapy and often, the overall treatment planning. His understanding of
the medications used in treatment, including side effects and possible long term
effects, makes him an invaluable member of your team.:
A Gynecologic Oncologist - A Gynecologic Oncologist, a specialist in obstetrics
and gynecology, has had further education and training in the management of
patients with gynecologic cancer. This physician provides those diagnostic and
therapeutic procedures necessary for the total care of the patent with
gynecologic cancer or its complications.
Radiologist - The Radiologist is a physician who is a certified specialist in
Radiology. This complex specialty requires at least four years of advanced
training after medical school. Board certified radiologists have passed a
rigorous examination by the American Board of Radiology in the case of medical
doctors, or by the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology for osteopathic
doctors. Radiologists use various forms of images (Xray, sound wave, magnetism,
etc) to diagnose illnesses and to prescribe or provide treatment.
Radiation Oncologist - A Radiation Oncologist is a Radiologist who specializes
in the treatment of diseases, especially cancer, by the use of high energy Xrays.
Surgical Oncologist - A Surgical Oncologist is a surgeon who specializes in the
surgical procedures developed for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Those
procedures include various techniques of biopsy, surgery to determine the extent
of the disease (staging), surgery to remove tumors or tissue, reconstructive
surgery, and surgery to aid in the relief of pain.
Nurse-practitioner - Nurse-practitioners are Registered Nurses with advanced
education in nursing. Through their education and experience, they are qualified
to perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, and in many
states, to write prescriptions and order laboratory tests and Xrays. Each state
sets regulations for Nurse-practitioners and most Nurse-practitioners are also
nationally certified in their specialty.
Important Questions To Ask Your Doctor
* What qualifications do you have for treating cancer?
* Will a specialist be involved in my case?
* Who will coordinate my treatment?
* Who do I contact with the questions and concerns that arise during treatment?
What is the best way to reach this individual?
* What kind of cancer do I have? and how advanced is it?
* What are my treatment options?
* Which treatments do you recommend and why?
* Is the objective of treatment to cure the cancer or to control it?
* What are the possible side effects of treatment?
* What will be the frequency and duration of the treatment(s)?
* Is there anything I can do to prepare myself for treatment?
* What is the advantage of surgery versus radiation therapy?
* Why or why not, will a staging surgery be performed?
* Is adjuvant chemotherapy with radiation therapy beneficial?
* How might I expect my life to change during treatment?
* What changes will I need to make at work and/or in my family to accomodate my
treatment(s)
* What medication(s) do you recommend? and what are they for?
* What are the potential side effects of the medication(s)?
* Are there symptoms or problems I should report immediately?
* How likely is it my cancer will reoccur after treatment?
* What costs will I incure for treatment?
* Are there specific foods or beverages I should include or avoid?
* Will I still be able to have children after treatment?
* What support services or groups are available in my area?
Source :
http://www.womenscancercenter.com/info/articles/team.html