Finding the Right Oncology Doctor: Your Guide to Cancer Care

When you or a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, accessing the best medical care and treatment becomes paramount. One of the most critical decisions you will make is choosing your doctor. Finding the right Oncology Doctor can be a journey, and it’s essential to find a specialist you trust and feel comfortable with, someone who will partner with you throughout your diagnosis and treatment process. It’s wise to consult with the doctor who initially identified your cancer to understand the urgency of finding an oncology doctor or if you have time to explore your options thoroughly.

Decide What You Need and Want in an Oncology Doctor

The first step is to identify an oncology doctor who specializes in treating your specific type of cancer. Depending on your diagnosis, you might need a particular type of oncologist, or even a team of specialists. Here are the most common types of cancer doctors you might encounter:

Medical Oncologists: These specialists use chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy to treat cancer. They are often the primary point of contact for patients undergoing systemic cancer treatments.
Hematologist-Oncologists: These doctors specialize in cancers of the blood, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, as well as other blood disorders.
Surgical Oncologists: These surgeons specialize in the surgical removal of tumors and cancerous tissues. They play a critical role in diagnosing and staging cancer, as well as in treatment.
Radiation Oncologists: These doctors use radiation therapy to treat cancer, targeting and destroying cancer cells with high-energy rays.
Pediatric Oncologists: These specialists focus on treating cancers in children and adolescents, understanding the unique aspects of childhood cancers.
Gynecologic Oncologists: These surgeons treat cancers of the female reproductive system, including ovarian, uterine, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.
Dermatologic Oncologists: These specialists focus on skin cancers, such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Some large cancer centers have oncology doctors who further specialize in specific cancer types, such as breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, or rare cancers. This specialization can be particularly beneficial if you have a less common or complex cancer.

Throughout your cancer journey, you may interact with several types of oncology doctors. However, your primary oncology doctor will depend on your cancer type and treatment plan. Choosing the right doctor is crucial as this relationship will likely extend from initial treatment through long-term follow-up care.

Before you begin your search for an oncology doctor, consider the qualities that are important to you. Here are some factors to think about:

Experience: Look for an oncology doctor with significant experience in treating your specific type of cancer. You want a specialist familiar with the latest treatment standards, guidelines, and research advancements.
Insurance Compatibility: Ensure the oncology doctor is within your health insurance network (a preferred provider) or accepts your insurance plan to minimize out-of-pocket costs.
Hospital Affiliation: Choose an oncology doctor who has admitting privileges at a cancer center or hospital that is convenient and reputable for you. Doctors can only admit patients to facilities where they have privileges.
Personal Connection: Select an oncology doctor you feel comfortable communicating with. Factors like language, gender, and educational background may be important to you. Consider their personality and communication style. Some patients prefer a business-like approach, while others value an oncology doctor who addresses both their medical and emotional needs.

Make a List of Oncology Doctors Who Might Be a Good Fit

To help you organize your search, consider using a worksheet like the American Cancer Society’s “How to Choose a Cancer Doctor.” This resource provides helpful tips for finding potential oncology doctors and questions to help you evaluate your choices.

Start by seeking referrals from trusted sources. The doctor who diagnosed your cancer is an excellent starting point. Ask them directly: “If you or a family member had this cancer, which oncology doctor would you recommend for treatment?” Often, doctors will readily suggest a colleague, even without being asked. If your diagnosis is still uncertain, but cancer is suspected, you can ask: “If you were in my situation, which oncology doctor would you consult first?” Aim to get at least two or three names and inquire about their specialties.

You can also connect with individuals in your community who have been treated for the same type of cancer. Additionally, many hospitals and communities offer physician referral services, either by phone or online. These services can provide information about oncology doctors in your area, including their expertise, certifications, office locations, and languages spoken. Contact local cancer centers or hospitals or visit their websites to find these referral services.

Online national directories of medical doctors, including specialists in oncology, are also valuable resources. These directories typically offer search functions to help you find the specific type of oncology doctor you need.

Please note that inclusion in these directories does not constitute an endorsement by the American Cancer Society.

If you have health insurance, verify that the oncology doctors you are considering are in your insurance network. You can usually do this online through your insurance provider’s website or by calling their member services hotline.

Finding Out More About Potential Oncology Doctors

Once you have identified a list of potential oncology doctors, contact their offices to confirm they are accepting new patients and if they participate in your health insurance plan. It’s also important to inquire about their affiliated cancer centers and hospitals and where they admit patients.

If feasible, schedule initial consultations with a few oncology doctors. Check with their offices and your insurance provider to see if these introductory visits are covered. If not, you may want to gather as much information as possible over the phone to narrow down your choices before scheduling in-person appointments.

During your consultations, ask about the oncology doctor’s experience treating your specific type of cancer. If you are considering surgery, ask a surgical oncologist about their experience with the procedure you need, including the number of surgeries performed and their success rates. It’s also important to understand how they define “success,” as this can vary depending on the cancer type.

Beyond medical experience and credentials, assess your comfort level with each oncology doctor. Consider these questions to gauge your comfort and communication:

Did the oncology doctor provide opportunities for you to ask questions?
Did you feel the oncology doctor was actively listening to your concerns?
Did the oncology doctor seem comfortable and confident in answering your questions?
Did the oncology doctor communicate in a way that was clear and easy for you to understand?
Did you feel respected by the oncology doctor and that your values were considered?
Did the oncology doctor discuss treatment options and consider your preferences?
Did you feel the oncology doctor spent adequate time with you during the consultation?

Trust your instincts when deciding if an oncology doctor is the right fit for you. It may take several interactions for you and your doctor to build a strong and trusting relationship.

Other Things You Might Want to Know About an Oncology Doctor

Is the Oncology Doctor Board Certified?

Board certification indicates that an oncology doctor has completed additional training in a specialized area, such as medical oncology, hematology, or gynecologic oncology. They have passed rigorous certification exams administered by experts in their field. To maintain their certification, doctors must continuously update their knowledge and skills in their specialty.

While not all excellent specialists are board certified, and board certification is not mandatory, many oncology doctors pursue it to demonstrate their commitment to excellence.

To verify if an oncology doctor is board certified, you can contact the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The ABMS provides a service to check the certification status of doctors who subscribe to their service. You can search for board-certified doctors by specialty and state or search for a specific doctor by name to learn about their certifications.

What’s the Oncology Doctor’s Experience?

Consider asking these questions to understand an oncology doctor’s experience:

How long has the oncology doctor been in practice?
How many patients with my specific type of cancer have they treated?
If surgery or a special procedure is recommended, how many times has the oncology doctor performed this procedure?
How many patients is the oncology doctor currently managing in their practice?
How many of their current patients are cancer patients?

You might also research leading specialists in your cancer type, whether they are located in your area, or if you would need to travel to consult with one. Medical libraries or online resources like cancer.gov or medlineplus.gov can be valuable for researching doctors. Look for oncology doctors who have published research on your cancer type and are frequently cited in medical literature. If your doctor has published research, reviewing these articles can provide insights into their treatment approaches.

At Which Cancer Center or Hospital(s) Does the Oncology Doctor Have Privileges?

Cancer treatment is increasingly delivered outside of traditional hospital settings. However, for certain treatments or complications, hospitalization may be necessary. The hospital where you would receive inpatient cancer care depends on your oncology doctor’s affiliations. Inquire about the hospitals or cancer centers where your doctor has privileges for surgery or other inpatient care. Confirm with your health insurance plan which hospitals and doctors are covered within your network.

Is the Oncology Doctor Affiliated With Any Medical Schools?

Affiliation with a respected medical school can be an indicator of an oncology doctor’s expertise and leadership in their field. Doctors who teach and practice at medical schools are often at the forefront of medical advancements and may be connected with experts nationwide. They may also be more knowledgeable about the latest treatment options and clinical trials.

Second Opinions

Even after choosing an oncology doctor, seeking a second opinion is often a wise step, especially if you feel uncertain about the proposed treatment plan. For example, if you have prostate cancer and a urologist recommends surgery, consulting a radiation oncologist to explore non-surgical options is a prudent approach.

The American Cancer Society provides detailed information on how to seek a second opinion on your cancer treatment plan, empowering you to make informed decisions about your care.