The Role of a Cancer Specialist in Your Treatment Journey

A cancer specialist, also known as an oncologist, is a medical professional trained in diagnosing, managing, and treating various types of cancer. They customize treatment plans for each patient for two reasons. One, not everyone has the same type or stage of cancer, and two, everyone will respond differently to each treatment method.

An overview of cancer specialists: Your trained pair of eyes and hands

What is a cancer specialist?

A cancer specialist manages the road on one's cancer journey from beginning to end. They diagnose, treat, manage, and provide follow-up care once a patient enters remission. Cancer specialist is a broad term for the oncology field. There are six types of oncologists patients can consult:

• Gynecologic oncologists. Concerned with gynecologic cancers, including the cancers of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and vagina.
• Medical oncologists. Often considered primary cancer specialists because they use targeted therapies to treat all forms of cancer.
• Neurological oncologists. Focused on treating cancers that affect the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
• Pediatric oncologists. Concerned with cancers more common in children.
• Radiation oncologists. Specialize in using radiation to treat specific forms of cancers, ranging in each bodily system.
• Surgical oncologists. Focused on surgically removing tumors and surrounding affected tissues.

Each cancer specialist receives specific training dedicated to their specialty. However, a doctor can possess multiple specialties. A patient can determine a provider's specialty by consulting their practice website or contacting their office.

A cancer specialist practicing in the United States must obtain a bachelor's and medical degree from an accredited institution, have an active license, and stay current with certifications. They must also be registered with the required national boards for their specialty.

The importance of visiting a cancer specialist

Many believe they do not need to consult a cancer specialist until it is necessary or they begin exhibiting alarming signs. This thought process could not be further from the truth. The best chance of beating cancer is early detection and intervention. Since most cancers develop in the body for some time before showing any physical symptoms, screenings are crucial for everyone.

Frequency of cancer specialist visits

If an individual has never received a cancer screening, it is important to schedule one. However, moving forward, the frequency of screenings will vary depending on age, gender, medical history, familial history, and lifestyle choices. According to the American Cancer Society, or ACS, individuals should receive cancer screenings specific to those they are predisposed to more frequently and sooner than those who are at average risk. For example, if colon cancer runs in a patient's family, the cancer specialist will recommend screenings long before age 45. The same goes for those who partake in poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking. Sooner and more frequent lung screenings are recommended.

Further, if patients are at average risk of developing cancer, meaning they have no previous history of the disease, the ACS recommends specific screenings for certain age groups. For example, at 45, everyone, regardless of gender or history, should begin receiving colon cancer screenings. Women should begin receiving annual cervix cancer screenings at 25 and breast cancer screenings at 40.

Screenings will look different for patients with a personal history of cancer who may have gone into remission. According to the National Cancer Institute, for the first year or two after going into remission, patients attend screenings every three to four months. If they remain in remission, they must only maintain annual screenings. Of course, if the cancer specialist has a screening schedule they want the patient to maintain, following their advice is best.

Treatments a cancer specialist can provide

As mentioned, the cancer specialist will personalize every patient's treatment plan. Some treatment plans are not as long, and some may last months to years. Likewise, some may require one method, while others require a combination of methods. Possible cancer treatment options include the following:

• Chemotherapy. Use of  drugs or medicines that kill tumor cells and can be administered through pills, injections, or intravenously (IV).
• Hormone therapy. The use of medicine to stop, slow, or alter the hormones that aid the growth of cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy. The use of medicines to enhance or boost the patient's immune system to better identify and kill cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy. Also called radiotherapy, it uses intense energy beams to kill cancer cells.
• Surgery. Removing tumors and infected tissues through surgical interventions.
• Targeted therapy. Uses medicines to search the body and precisely attack and kill specific cancer cells.
• Stem cell or bone marrow transplant. Sometimes called peripheral stem cell transplant or cord blood transplant, depending on where the stem cells are harvested, they replace cells damaged by cancer with healthy ones.

Call us for more information

Cancer is a battle too large to fight alone. Let our cancer specialist help. We are here to do everything possible to get patients in and surrounding the Marlton area into remission. Contact our office for a consultation.

Request an appointment here: https://lindenbergcancer.com or call Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center at (856) 475-0876 for an appointment in our Marlton office

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