What type of doctors should cancer patient have?

luckystar

before i was diagnosed i didn't see the doctor too often

just the gynecologist, internist and dermatologist yearly

now i have an oncologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist.

do any of you see other doctors? like cardiologist or gastroenterologist, ent... on a regular basis? 

the internist does all systems, but i just feel like internist are not specialized enough! i feel like as a cancer patient i got to spend more attention on all the other systems... im just not sure if there are other systems of the body i should see a specialist for...

here is the list again of what im thinking of.... let me know if you can think of others or if you see others.

internist

dermatologist

gynecologist

cardiologist?

gastroenterologist?

oncologist

radiation oncologist

surgeon

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carolgs

Luckystar, if you are put on Tamoxifen you may want to add Opthamologist or Optometrist.  Occasionally tamoxifen can lead to macular degeneration and there are special tests for this.  My optometrist told me to have it done annually.

gillyone

I see just 3 doctors. My PCP who does regular annual physicals etc. I see my onc every 6 months (it was every three months for 2 years) and the optomotrist.

I haven't seen the surgoen or rad onc since finished whatever tx with them. (In fact I only saw them once each when tx was done)

I don't know why anyone would need that long list of doctors to see on a regular basis.

MelissaDallas

Why would you go to a cardiologist or gastroenterologist if you were not experiencing problems? Since many require a referral, what would you be referred for? If the time came that your internist or oncologist felt you were having or were at risk for other problems I feel sure they would refer you then.

lisa-e

I see the following doctors 4 years post dx:

1) oncologist - every six months currently, but once a year after five years.

2) Primary care doc - once a year physical (and as needed)

3) gyn - once a year for pelvic exam. 

4) opthamologist and/or optometrist - I developed cataracts after taking arimidex for one month so had catact surgery.  I now see either the opthamologist or my optometrist (who is also my sister) for annual checks.  

5) orthopedic surgeon - have had bilateral hip replacements - now see him every two years for x-rays if no problems.

6) dermatologist (or his NA) for skin checks.  I've had several skin cancers.

I don't see my breast surgeon, as he retired.  Both my onc and gyn examine my chest and scars when I see them (no mammograms) so I didn't feel the need to find another surgeon.  

The number of doctors you need to see on a regualr basis depends on many factors.

 

Susie123

Luckystar, the only Dr you will add to your normal Drs after you get through your initial treatment is the oncologist. I' m 3 years out now, and after the first year with extra Drs due to the initial cancer treatments, I now see just the onco every 6 months. I always went to my family practice Dr for a physical each year, even before cancer....so the only extra Dr I have is the onco. Life will settle back down to almost normal again, even though you just can't see that right now because of the fear. I know I would have never have believed that at the beginning when I had seen more Drs in a month than I had seen in my whole life. Susie

luckystar

thank you for the recommendations. that is all helpful. i was thinking about cardiologist really because i never had my heart checked and i know its the number 1 cause of death in women, the silent killer, so i was considering doing that but i will definitely do opthamologist and orthopedic too because i have posture issue too and never knew that about eyes.

this cancer really makes you worry about the other systems in the body. i felt really good before being slammed with this diagnosis. i woulda thought i was in perfect health. scary to think you get no symptoms or anything at all to give you a warning. makes me really worry. but hopefully as you say with time there wont be more worries. thank u

Susie123

Luckystar, just remember to not let the fear of dying brought on by our diagnosis rob you of living.

Beesie

Luckystar, I agree with Susie.  The one new doctor that you will be seeing for an extended period of time, after your treatment is done, will be the medical oncologist.  Adding an eye doctor may make sense too, if you are going on Tamoxifen, which can affect the eyes.  

If you've never had your heart checked and you would like to do that, ask to have that done the next time you are having a complete physical exam.  Your internist should be able to order the necessary tests.  Only if there is a problem with the results would there be any reason to see a cardiologist.  Same thing with a gastroenterologist. I can't think of why you'd want need to see one of those unless you have a specific problem. 

hightide1

Luckystar

Don't know if you are her2 +.

If you are given Herceptin, you will be sent to a cardiologist for baseline function studies.

Your list will grow as you move through different treatments and SEs. If your treatment is involved your list will grow longer.

If you have a basic team you trust you have a good start. Don't wear yourself out with lots of appointments. My recommendation would be to see MDs for the systems you have had problems with in the past. For example for me that meant chatting with my asthma specialist.

Get to your dentist right away and get cleaning and check up done. Dental work is contraindicated while on some of the drugs you may be given.