When you are diagnosed with breast cancer, it is normal to feel like the whole world has come crashing down on you. It is difficult to put into words the fear and anxiety that comes to mind. But you do not have to go through this journey alone. The first and most important thing is to build a good health care team to help you, to take care of you, and to give you the best treatment . But with so many doctors and hospitals, how do you choose the best ones? Okay, let's talk about it simply.
Who will join your medical team?
On this journey, you will need the help of various specialists. They will all work together to create your treatment plan. To be precise, this is like a 'team work'. Let's see who definitely needs to be on this team.
| Medical specialist (Specialist) | How can this doctor help you? |
|---|---|
| Breast Cancer Surgeon | This is the doctor who will remove the cancerous tumor. It is more important to choose a surgeon who specializes in breast cancer than someone who performs surgery for many other types of cancer. You can ask him questions like: - Have you received special training (fellowship) in breast cancer? - Approximately how many breast cancer surgeries are performed per week/year? - Are you involved in research on this? - Are there any clinical trials I can participate in? |
| Radiation Oncologist | This doctor will give you radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is often needed, especially if you had a lumpectomy. He will explain everything to you, including why this treatment is needed, how long it will take, and what the side effects are. |
| Medical Oncologist | This doctor is the one who will treat your cancer with medications like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. He will tell you many important things, such as: - Do your cancer cells have hormone receptors? - Do cancer cells have too much HER2 protein? - How fast does cancer spread? - What other tests are needed to find out if the cancer has spread? - What treatments are right for you and what are their advantages and disadvantages? |
| Plastic Surgeon | If you have had a mastectomy, you may need to have breast reconstruction surgery. This is done by a plastic surgeon. It is best to choose someone who specializes in breast reconstruction. |
| Fertility Specialist | If you are planning to have children in the future, it is important to see this specialist before starting treatment . Because some cancer treatments can temporarily or permanently affect your ability to have children, he or she can talk to you about options such as freezing your eggs or embryos. |
| Cancer Care Nurse (Nurse Navigator) | These nurses are trained to help patients receive treatment. They can not only help you with things like getting to and from the hospital, or childcare issues, but they can also provide you with emotional support and help you manage side effects. |
How do you choose a good hospital or treatment center?
If you're not sure where to start, ask the doctor who first diagnosed you with cancer. A good question to ask is, "Doctor, if someone in your family had this type of cancer, where would you go for treatment?" In addition, think about these things:
- Do you have experience? Does the hospital you choose have extensive experience treating the type of cancer you have? Generally, larger hospitals have more experience and have more facilities for cancer patients .
- Do doctors listen to you? This is very important.
Does your doctor explain everything to you clearly? Does he listen carefully to your questions? Think about things like this. Because this is a long journey, it is very important to go on this journey with someone you can trust.
- Will your case be discussed by a ' tumor board'? This means that all the specialists we talked about above come together, discuss your condition, and decide on the best treatment plan for you. If you can get treatment from a place that has this system, it is very valuable.
When should you get a second opinion?
No matter how confident you are in your chosen medical team, it's always a good idea to get a second opinion . It will help you clear up any doubts you may have and give you more confidence to proceed with your treatment.
It's a good idea to get a second opinion, especially if you live in an area with limited medical facilities, or if you have a rare type of breast cancer. In such cases, try to see a specialist at a hospital with a reputation for cancer in a major city like Colombo or Kandy.
Keep these things in mind when getting a second opinion:
- Go to a different hospital: Doctors at the same hospital often think about the same treatment methods . Therefore, when you see a doctor at a completely different hospital, they can look at your situation with fresh eyes and perhaps give you a different opinion.
- Virtual Consultation: These days, some major hospitals are also offering online second opinions. This means that you send all your medical records to the specialist, who then reviews them and sends treatment recommendations to your existing medical team. This is also a great option.
Fighting cancer is not an easy journey. But with the right knowledge, the support of the best medical team, and the strength of your own mind, you can definitely win this battle.
Take-Home Message
- It's normal to feel scared when you find out you have breast cancer. But you're not alone. The first step is to find the best medical team to help you.
- Your team will include several people, including a surgeon, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists.
- Don't be afraid to ask your doctors questions. You should have a good understanding of your condition and treatment.
- When choosing a hospital, think specifically about their experience, facilities, and whether the doctors will listen to you.
- If you have any doubts or need confirmation, it's always a good idea to get a second opinion . Never think twice about it.
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