An oncologist is a doctor who is qualified to diagnose and treat individuals who have cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancers in women. Men can also develop breast cancer, but it is less common than in women. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you should take the time to educate yourself about the disease. Talking to your doctor is important because it can help you make informed decisions about your health care.
Fully informed patients are usually happier with their treatment. A patient can benefit from having frank, open discussions with the cancer care team. Members of the health care teams always want to answer people’s questions so that individuals can make informed treatment and life decisions. Patients should ask questions that can help them understand the disease and their treatment options.
A person should not be afraid to take notes. Patients should also inform the doctors and nurses when something is not clear. Sometimes, people are advised to bring along someone else to the appointment. The person can take notes to help the patient remember what was said. Here are some of the things people should inquire about.
If a patient has been diagnosed with breast cancer, it is important for the individual to find out whether other imaging tests will be needed. The tests may help determine whether or not the tumor has spread to lymph nodes or other body parts. A patient should ask the doctor, based on the biopsy, about the subtype of breast cancer and where it is located in the breast. The doctor should also let the patient know about the treatment plan.
Treatment options for breast cancer depend on several aspects. These include the type and stage of the disease. The doctor should explain the stage to the patient. The patient should also find out where else aside from the breast any tumors are located. The stage of breast cancer is based on several factors. These include the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread to any lymph nodes. Another important factor that will be considered is whether the cancer has spread to any other areas in the body.
Aside from the type and stage of the disease, there are many other factors that treatment will depend on. These include the patient’s age and medical history, the grade of cancer and the hormone and HER2 receptor status. A patient should ask about all these aspects. It is immensely important for a patient to know about the treatment options available and their benefits and risks.
You should never hesitate to ask your oncologist any questions. It will help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment options, treatment plan and overall care. Keep in mind that physicians are not the only ones who can give you information. The other members of the health care team can also answer some of your questions.
Get more information here: https://lindenbergcancer.com or call Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center at (856) 475-0876
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Facing chemotherapy treatment can be overwhelming, even if it is the right thing for your health. When it comes to cancer and cancer treatment, there is only so much the patient can control. However, understanding what to expect and how to prepare can put some control back in the patient’s hands and help set them…
The stage of the cancer determines the type of prostate cancer treatment the oncologist will provide. This treatment can offer a multi-layered approach, ranging in levels of invasiveness. However, no matter what stage you are in, the earlier we can provide medical intervention, the better your chances of remission.Prostate cancer staging can be complex to…
Anemia can affect life in many ways, the most common of which is lowering energy. An oncologist can help patients with anemia renew their energy and lessen the impact of other common symptoms. This way, patients can minimize how anemia affects their overall health and well-being.Anemia is categorized as a blood disorder because it occurs…
A hematologist is specially trained to diagnose, treat, and manage blood disorders. Being referred to this medical specialist may cause some worry or concern. However, they can provide an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan if blood abnormalities are found in your bloodstream.Hematology is the branch of medicine that studies blood, blood-forming organs, and…
Facing chemotherapy treatment can be overwhelming, even if it is the right thing for your health. When it comes to cancer and cancer treatment, there is only so much the patient can control. However, understanding what to expect and how to prepare can put some control back in the patient’s hands and help set them…
The stage of the cancer determines the type of prostate cancer treatment the oncologist will provide. This treatment can offer a multi-layered approach, ranging in levels of invasiveness. However, no matter what stage you are in, the earlier we can provide medical intervention, the better your chances of remission.Prostate cancer staging can be complex to…