After being diagnosed with cancer, the first thing to do is find a good oncologist. Cancer treatment is tough, so it’s important to find an oncologist who supports and cares for their patients in a way you would want to be supported and cared for. We’ve put together a list of tips for finding the right oncologist with information from cancerdocs.org.
Search for local oncologists.
The first step in finding the right oncologist is to start with the ones closest to you. If you’re ill, you don’t want to have to travel too far for treatment if you can help it. Write down a list of local oncologists that you can then whittle down.
Get recommendations.
It’s highly likely that you will know someone (maybe several people) who have recently been treated for cancer. Ask them about their oncologist: did they like their doctor? how would they rate them? would they recommend them?
Research credentials.
Research the credentials of the oncologists on your list to ensure they are fully qualified to deal with your type of cancer. In addition, you may want to know if they have any outstanding malpractice lawsuits against them or if they have a history of disciplinary action.
MORE: Here are seven benefits of maintaining a nutrient-rich diet during cancer treatment.
Check their experience.
Do they have a successful history of dealing with your type of cancer? How many patients have they worked with who have the same complications as you? Do they have experience performing specific procedures that may be relevant to your treatment?
Check your insurance.
Ensure your health insurance covers all of the treatment the oncologist is proposing. Choose an oncologist who is willing to work with insurance companies to ensure you get the best treatment.
MORE: Seventeen celebrities who fought breast cancer.
Review hospital quality and healthcare team.
You may like the oncologist but hate the hospital they work in. Likewise, you want the oncologist’s team to have the same level of commitment and care to your treatment. Does the hospital allow access to clinical trials? Is it a progressive hospital that embraces new technology and treatments?
Do they make you feel at ease?
You should be able to talk with your oncologist about any subject regarding your treatment without feeling silly or embarrassed. A good oncologist will take the time to explain anything you don’t understand and will listen to all of your concerns and answer any questions and respect your decisions regarding your treatment.
MORE: Eleven crucial things no one tells you about breast cancer.
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We have some really close friends who are struggling with the cancer battle right now, and recently found out that she’s going to need breast surgery. I wanted to look up some ideas on the best way to choose someone to do breast surgery because the hospital gave her a few different options. I’m going to have to share your article with them, and talk about checking with their insurance to make sure they cover the doctor and the breast surgery procedure!
Hi Max! Thank you for sharing our article with your friends. Choosing the right surgeon can be quite difficult, especially with the other decisions that have to be made. We hope that your friends can benefit from this information and are able to find the surgeon that is right for them.
You made a good point when you said to get recommendations when choosing the right oncologist for your needs. Your friends and relatives may have consulted with one before and were happy with the way things turned out with the medical procedure. If they tell you nothing but praises for this doctor, then it’s probably safe to assume that he is indeed reliable and trustworthy. If I were to undergo surgery for my neck, I would make sure to take this into account. Thanks.
I like the tip you gave to choose a dermatologist who is local to your home, so you can easily access the clinic when you need to go. My wife was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer, so we are looking for an oncologist. I will be sure to let her know that we should hire locally.