A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming, and it may leave you wondering what your future will be like in treatment. Once you get a diagnosis of cancer, your family doctor will probably want you to see an oncologist right away. Time can be critically important in some cases, so don't delay your first oncologist visit. Here's what you can expect.
A Review Of Your Symptoms And History
Your family doctor may forward your history and results of cancer testing to the oncologist so they can look the data over before your first meeting. It's important for the cancer doctor to understand as much about your condition as possible. Even if they've had time to study your history, they'll probably ask you a lot of questions about your condition and how it's been affecting you.
A Recommendation For Further Testing
Your oncologist might want to do more tests to verify your cancer diagnosis or to gather more information about your condition and its stage. In addition, they'll probably do a physical examination to get a baseline for your health condition.
A Plan For Cancer Treatment
There are multiple treatments for cancer, but they aren't all appropriate for the type of cancer you have. An oncologist is familiar with all kinds of cancer therapy and when to use them. They're also up to date with clinical trials that might be suitable for you.
They can stage your cancer if that hasn't been done already and then provide a plan for treating your disease. Cancer often requires multiple approaches such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but the treatments aren't given at the same time. The oncologist determines the order of your treatments and their duration. You may go to the cancer treatment center for several weeks to complete your initial round of treatments.
A Source Of Answers And Support
You may spend a lot of time talking to your cancer doctor, and you should bring along a list of questions you have about your condition. An oncologist has experience with cancer and how it affects people and is able to answer questions based on experience and not just provide statistics.
The goal of your oncologist is to give you the best treatment possible so you have a better chance of beating cancer. They also want to manage your symptoms so you have a good quality of life as you fight your condition. Your cancer doctor will be with you throughout your journey to help you through the treatments, side effects, and progression or remission of your disease.
For more information, contact an oncologist near you.
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