selecting a surgeon

wantinghelp

I have just been diagnosed with DCIS, comedo type, high nuclear grade. The surgeon I have been talking to is not for me. How do I go about finding another?

Moderators

Hello wantinghelp, and welcome to BCO.

There's an article on the main Breastcancer.org site that has suggestions for finding Where to Go for a Second Opinion, and the advice there may be helpful in your search for a new surgeon too.

Another idea is to use the Search function here on the discussion boards (near the top right of any page) and enter your city or region or state name as the keyword - that will show every other post that mentions the same place, so you can connect with other members who recommend their surgeon.

Judith and the Mods

ej01

I think your best source for this is someone in the medical community.  You can call the imaging center where you got your mamo to see if the radiologist has recommendations.  Or call your primary care doctor.     They are most likely to see many patients that have been to the various BS in your area and probably know which doctors patients are satisfied with and which are more problematic.

Emaline

For my biopsy, I went with the doctor that could get me in the fastest. Probably not the best of ideas but that was my peace of mind at the time.  She was a general surgeon who did a lot of breast surgeries, which is why my primary doctor recommended her.  When it came to my MX, she wanted me to get a 2nd opinion and recommended the doctor she did her residency under and I loved him and ended up going with him.  He is a surgeon who specializes in breast cancer.  You don't get much better then him in the area.

I would check your insurance and see who is covered, then take to the internet to see what people are saying.  Talk with family and friends. It is amazing how many people you will find out who have had cancer or know someone who did, and most are very happy to share doctor names.

Stormynyte

At the university hospital in Denver they have a breast center full of people who only deal with breast cancer. I had no idea until I did an internet search looking for a breast surgeon. Maybe there is something similar in your area?

Melrosemelrose

I called some friends who happen to be doctors; one is a oncology radiologist and the other is an oncologist.  The radiologist help set up my appointment with my oncologist.  The oncologist then referred me to a breast surgeron that she works with on regular basis.  The oncologist and BS both work at the same hospital cancer center.  The doctors all communicate with each other and exchange info about my case.  Good luck with your search.

3monstmama

I liked my first surgeon but somehow something didn't click.  I went on to speak with 2 plastic surgeons, an oncologist and the radiation oncologist.  My surgeon came to me through one of the plastic surgeons.  He spoke so highly of her that I went to meet her and something just clicked.

At first I was worried because she was actually in the same practice as surgeon#1 but the nurse in the office stopped me and said "this is important.  it doesn't matter why you like one person over the other.  you don't have to have a reason--its your surgeon and you have to trust them and feel comfortable with them."

never looked back.

You might try cancer support groups in your area.  The "plus" side of DCIS is that we can take some time to research and find the treatment team that we feel best about.

wantinghelp

What a lot of great ideas! I'll do all of the above, starting with the search function on this site. Thank you all.

rtnyc

I asked my radiologist who does my mammo's, my gyno and my GP...

wantinghelp

Oop! Tha was sent before I finished. i aske my GP, even though he had given me the first name. He suggested another and she is perfect for me!