If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer recently, are you facing a dilemma?
Who is going to treat your cancer?
Why so many doctors are involved ?
Do I need to have so many of them, what about too many cooks spoil…….
Whom do I go to first?
These are the few questions that might be bothering you.
Why so many Doctors?
Breast cancer treatment requires a strategy.
Your best chance for treatment is the first one, when the diagnosis has been made.
All the specialist in the concerned field are required to build that strategy.
Why Do I Need A Specialist?
Specialist are the qualified doctors who have done something extra in that particular field of medicine,eg, degree, diploma, work experience, research.
They are focussed on that particular field of medicine, eg, Oncologist and have excelled in it.
What Is The Role Of Each Specialist In My Case?
Medical oncologist – A physician who specializes in the medical treatment of cancer.
Your medical oncologist generally manages your overall medical care and monitors your general health during your course of treatment.
They calculate your risk of recurrence as well as the possible need for and benefits of additional therapy (chemotherapy / hormonal).
Breast surgeon – A surgeon who specializes in the surgical removal of breast tumors while conserving as much of the breast as possible
Surgical oncologist – A doctor who is trained in treating various cancers such as breast cancer, melanoma and sarcomas. The physician can perform biopsies and other surgical procedures such as removing a lump or a breast.
Plastic surgeon – A surgeon who specializes in state-of-the-art breast reconstructive techniques
Radiation oncologist – A staff physician trained in cancer treatment using radiation therapy
Radiation therapist – A professional who helps place you in the correct treatment position and interprets X-ray studies.
Radiation technologist – A professional who checks the radiation dosage to make it as safe as possible.
These doctors make it possible for you to –
- Make informed decisions concerning your treatment.
- Keep abreast of the latest medical advances in the field of cancer.
- Get the appropriate treatment at the right time.
- Understand the prognosis of surviving this disease.
- Get a treatment that is best suited for your condition.
