How did everyone choose a doctor or hospital for treatment?

mfoti610

I know there's a lot of factors that go into making such a life-changing decision like insurance, ability to travel, word of mouth referrals, etc., but I'm curious how people specifically made their decisions?  I would think that proximity to some of the more well known treatment options like MSK, Mayo Clinic, and Cancer Treatment Centers of America played a role, but I really would appreciate people's insight.  Thank you!

NatsFan

I started out with a local general surgeon, but at the strong urging of my wonderful co-workers, I went to the closest NCI-designated cancer center for a second opinion, Johns Hopkins, which is about an hour and a half away from me.  I never looked back.  I ended up doing all my surgeries at Hopkins..  In Maryland, all hospitals are required to accept all insurance sold in the state, so Hopkins is in network for all insurance plans in the state.  I did opt to do my chemo locally because the protocol in my case was pretty standard, but I wanted the best surgeons I could get working on me. 

If you're in the US, I'd highly recommend getting a consult at a NCI Center, if possible, even if you opt not to get your treatment there.  Most have dedicated breast centers, so you'll have your case reviewed from top to bottom (and your pathology slides re-read) by a medical staff that does nothing but breast cancer all day every day.  These centers are recognized as being top cancer centers, and are up to date on the latest cutting edge knowledge.

http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/extramura...

mfoti610

Thanks so much for the reply!

Kicks

I personally did not pick my Drs but got fantastic ones.  My care is through VA and they 'out sourced' me immediately.  I saw my VA PA at 11 and they had me scheduled at a local private Radiology at 1 that afternoon.  I had my path report the next morning (Fri) at 8.  They got my appts set up with private care immediately and I saw my surgeon Mon, saw Rads on Wed, Chemo on Thurs.  Lots of tests/scan in the 17 days from DX to neoadjuvant chemo.  I do not think I could have picked better Drs for me - I'm almost 5 yrs out from IBC DX and as far as I know today - I'm still NED with no reason to think differently.   

l live in the Black Hills area of SD so we don't have as many options as most do. 

sarahjane7374

My OB/GYN recommended the Breast Center that I went to.  He gave me a couple of options that he felt were equally good, and I chose the one that I could get to the easiest. 

Annette47

My GYN recommended a local breast specialist.  I researched her, and found she had a great reputation.   Considering there was nothing particularly unique about my case or her recommended course of treatment which would spark the need for a second opinion, I went with her and her team.

Had I felt I wanted a second opinion, I probably would have gone to Penn.   That and MSK are about equidistant to me, but since I did my undergrad at Penn, I think I would be more comfortable there.

Rosiesride

I used a general surgeon that I had 10 years ago...she was also one that my GYNO reccommended......I knew the oncologist I wanted and he recommended the radiation oncologist who is awesome...so in some ways I just lucked out but also got second opinions (and 3rd) when trying to make certain decisions.  There was also nothing unique about my case, so I stayed local but the docs were up for sending things to Chapel Hill if anything rare came up...I feel like they all work together as a team even though practices are separate...they just want us to get better!!  Good Luck!

SpecialK

I had my mammogram and ultrasound that revealed the area of suspicion in a military treatment facility.  They had no capacity for assessment or treatment beyond imaging so I was referred by the military insurance referral department to an oncological breast surgeon based on zip code.  I am fortunate that I live within ten miles of the only NCI designated cancer center in FL.  The doctor I was referred to had been the head of the department at this facility but had recently gone into private practice.  He referred me to the plastic surgeon he preferred based on the surgery and type of reconstruction I chose, and also referred me to my oncologist based on my pathology after surgery.  I trusted his knowledge and choices based on his experience and working knowledge of these individual physicians, but would have sought second opinions if I had been dissatisfied with anyone that he referred me to.  Since all of my physicians were in private practice I also appreciated that they knew/worked/communicated with each other regularly since they were not all under one roof as they would have been in a center.

Homehelp

as a physician myself, we were amazed at the differences that we experience interviewing various surgeons.

The most important aspect of our care was to know that the physician team was competent and worked very well together

The surgeon we selected came highly recommended from a few of my partners and many of our friends

When we first met him he was compassionate he gave my wife a hug and he said "I am so sorry that you were here"

He spent at least an hour and a half with us and recommended a plastic surgeon that he exclusively works with

We then met with the plastic surgeon for approximately an hour and a half and we never looked back

They are compassionate concerns and told us to call them at any time with any question

My wife is now three weeks postop healing well after bilateral mastectomy and latissimus dorsi flaps

The hospital care was amazing and was in the hospital for two days

Although everybody is different I think it's important to get excellent recommendations and have a good feeling  and total confidence about the physicians that are going to operate on you

We feel very lucky to have had this team

One more quick story....

The night before the surgery how her phone rang at 9:05 PM

It was the breast surgeon...

He said "I am thinking about you both as I'm getting ready for bed and I will do will I can to give you a full and unconditional cure have a good night and I'll see you in the morning"

Blessings2011

My primary insurance is Kaiser, but DH has Anthem Blue Cross. It took less than 24 hours for me to get from my Kaiser PCP to an appointment with the Kaiser breast surgeon.  From there, it was a whirlwind. 

I really liked the breast surgeon - a woman - and the Radiologist I was assigned to was like a pit bull. I ADORED her. She would not give up on my diagnostic tests until she was sure she had ferreted out any evidence of cancer. (Seven different diagnostic tests in less than two weeks.) My appointments were full of tenderness and laughter. I was amazed at how incredibly thorough they were, and how quickly I bonded with my entire medical team, including my talented PS and my awesome MO.

In the beginning,  I could have done more research, and gone anywhere under our other insurance, but I'd felt so good about my initial experience, I stayed with Kaiser. They were amazing, and it was a relief to have all my docs under the same roof. 

p.s. As far as NCI-designated cancer centers, we are at least three hours away from any big cities.

teaspoon

When my annual mammogram came back with the recommendation of a biopsy, my primary care doctor referred me to a local breast care center and breast surgeon.  I did not have a good experience and decided that I did not want to return there.  I researched accredited breast care centers in my area.  Most importantly, I outreached a couple of women on this site whose geographic location was near to mine, and asked for their recommendations.   I got responses within hours, so helpful, so supportive.  I was able to get an appointment within days with a breast surgeon who came highly recommended, at an accredited breast care center.  I continue to feel grateful for the support here.  Thank you friends.

Warrior_Woman

The best advice I received is get to the best oncological breast surgeon I could and I went to University of Penn.  Everything else can be done locally but the surgeon matters most.  It is a 5 hour round trip commute and worth the ride.  I did my chemo and everything else at my local cancer center.  

Myna

Hi Mfoti610,

Having had fibrocystic breasts over the years and a few biopsies as well, I was referred to a new breast surgeon at one of the major hospitals in northern NJ.  My Ob/Gyn of many years referred me because I did not have a surgeon.  She thought I should see this doctor so I would have seen her before a problem developed (so I would be comfortable, etc.).

Long story short, about a year and a half later, I needed a good breast surgeon and oncologist.  I was found to have DCIS and problematic areas in other quadrants.  Since the disease I had was not rare or unusual and because my surgeon specializes in DCIS, I choose to see her.  I did not go to NYC to Sloan Kettering although it is a great place if you need it.  I trusted my surgeon and that was well placed.  My doctor was great in answering all my questions, called me a couple of times in the evening to inform me of test results, and was there for me. 

The surgery went well and even through a lot of tissue was removed over a couple lumpectomies and excisional bx's, the results are very good.  I then had radiation at the same center from a great team, and am now on tamoxifen from my wonderful medical oncologist. I am now in follow-up mode. I am very happy with my team and do not think I would have been in better hands elsewhere. 

Hope that helps.