Oncologist-shopping

NancyGA

Hello All! 

I can't believe this is my first post - I think it says something good that all my previous questions and needs for assurance have been answered already by other posts.

But now I need some good advice. I am torn between three oncologists. I know it's a personal decision, but I wanted to ask those of you with treatment experience about what was most important to you. (Also, if any of you are in Atlanta and might have gone with one of these, PM me please!)

Here's what I have:

1. Dr. M.

Pros: young, brilliant onc who did his residency at MD Anderson and has good friends there if needed. He's the one my incredible breast surgeon works with and recommends. Their infusion facility is brand-new and supposedly super-swank (flat-screen tvs, comfortable chairs, etc.).

Cons: he's a little awkward and I just haven't connected with him like my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon. He's super conservative in treatment options (all three are conservative with their recommendations because of my age, but I see him as still the most conservative. I don't know if this is a good or bad thing). Also, the facility is the furthest from my home (30-45 min.), even though it is my home hospital so far.

2. Dr. O. 

Pros: female. National expert on breast cancer. Teaches and does research at the medical teaching hospital, which I consider on the cutting edge. I like her and she's been extremely honest about treatment (she told me chemo might not help me at all, but she would still recommend it because of my age). Her facility is the closest - 10 minutes away. 

Cons: she wouldn't see me at first (and only agreed to after my surgeon asked her to) because she is extremely busy and already loaded with patients. It's a teaching hospital and I've heard the patients can feel like cattle. It was difficult to navigate the one time I needed records (but that's the only experience I've really had with them). Docs have a rep of starting here and then moving to hospital for doc #1.

3. Dr. G

Pros: female. highly recommended (with #2 as far as local breast cancer experts). Nice facility and closer to home, though not as close as #2 (20-30 min). She's fine personality-wise. She's the only one (so far?) to test me for vitamin D-deficiency. Her staff did a great job (best so far) drawing blood.

Cons: she did want to put my port in a month+ before I was to start treatment (which I didn't do and could have been a big risk during my second surgery since it turns out I have a heart defect too [jeez]), but no one touched that issue yet so maybe I can't compare. It's a private group not located at a hospital. Since I've done most stuff at the hospital for #1, I can't really say I'm comfortable or not with the facility. She also did not suggest an oncotype test, like the other two did. 

I feel like I go back and forth between 1 and 2, but then 3 seems to make the most sense sometimes (she's likely to be available and she's some-what close). Choosing breast surgeon and plastic surgeon was easy. They were clearly the best after shopping. But I just don't know with these. Help!

How did you decide?

Thanks so much!

dlb823

Nancy ~  Interesting post.  It sounds like you're very fortunate to have 3 extremely capable oncologists from which to choose, and it doesn't sound like any of them would be a bad or lesser choice.   From experience, the one thing I would caution you about is choosing an onc who isn't nearby or on staff at a local hospital, unless he can assure you of what to do in an emergency.  I had to consider that when I was deciding whether to have chemo @ UCLA (where I had my surgery, but a 3 hr. drive) or locally.  I ended up with UCLA's encouragement finding a local onc who would follow the protocol UCLA recommended.  Your #1 onc isn't 3 hrs. away, but I'm not sure 40 miles may not put you in the same situation in the unlikely scenario of having a problem, needing care quickly, and showing up at an ER where no one has your records or knows your history. 

I would also very much want to know which chemo each of your prospective oncs would recommend for you and why.  Like you, I talked to 3 oncs prior to starting chemo, and they each had totally different recommendations, which was a huge surprise to me, but had everything to do with my final choice.  In other words, I totally ruled out Onc #1 (local) when Onc #2 (UCLA) told me that #1's protocol was wrong for me.  I ended up with #3 (also local), but only after he expressed genuine interest in UCLA's recommendations (which differed from his, as well) and agreed to work with my onc there.

The other thing I might throw out to you that many of us don't realize initially, is that the relationship with your onc will be on-going for up to 5 years after your actual treatment ends, and he/she will probably want to see you at least twice a year to start.  So you may want to keep that in mind.

Hopefully, someone from the Atlanta area will weigh in and be able to give you some firsthand input to help tip your decision.  And best of luck with whomever you choose!    Deanna 

PS ~ Hi, Meg!  Looks like we were posting at the same time!