How to choose your doctor
When you have been diagnosed
with mesothelioma a rare form of cancer ,you have to find a
doctor who is familiar with mesothelioma and this is important consideration for treatment. If you want
chemotherapy you can choose a local doctor, but if you
want surgical or other specialized
forms of treatment for mesothelioma, it becomes
more important to choose a doctor who deal with
mesothelioma on a regular basis
and have experience in the most
up to date protocols available.
Second option is common
when dealing with a rare cancer,
and after listening to
your primary doctor suggestion
and treatment method, you will
want to consult with a most
specialized physician untill making a treatment decision. This will be
comfortable for you that you have
explored every possible solution
and know about every
available option. May be your 1st
doctor refer you
to a specialist.
In this case, you should be
aware that your basic doctor knows that you are satisfied by
the treatment you have been given
previously, but because the disease is rear, you should have thorough information.
A “specialist” is a physician who
is licensed to practice medicine,who has certain level of education and
training criteria in that specific field
and who has passed the examination
given by a specialty board in that field. So he is “board
certified” in his field. A
physician may also be
“subspecialist” to further increase
his expertise and become
board certified in the
subspecialty both.
Here under are some examples for
specialties & subspecialties related to mesothelioma
treatment:
* Surgery is a specialty that
gives treatment of
disease by surgical operation on body. Doctors conducting
surgery are called general
surgeons. A
surgical subspecialist may be
thoracic surgeon dealing
specifically with diseases of the
thoracic area.
* Medical Oncology is a
subspecialist of medicines of cancer.
He treat cancer
and manage
treatment plans e.g,
chemotherapy. They may also
consult any other
type of specialist.
* Radiation Oncologist is a
subspecialist in radiology.
He specialize
in the use of radiation for treatment of
cancer.
Before making decision when choosing your
doctor, ask following
questions:
If the doctor have the
education and training
necessary to fulfil your needs,
and if he/she has
experience in treating
mesothelioma?
How many cases of
mesothelioma has being treated by her/him?
Has the doctor
informed you about mesothelioma
itself, and on the
treatment options you may take?
Does the doctor listen to you?
Does the doctor encourage
you to ask about it and
explain things in terms of
you understanding?
When you have to choose surgeon,
consider the following
questions:
Is he/she certified by surgeon board?
Does the surgeon belong to a
medical specialist society?
How often does he
performed the type of surgery
i want?
How many such surgeries has
he performed?
Has the doctor explained to me
surgical procedure, the risk factors, side
effects, quality of life and
success rates i might
expect?
It is needed to you and your
family to have a good working
relationship with whichever
doctor you want to treat you, and to be
able to communicate and be
involved in decisions abou
your medical care. Always trust
your own feelings. Be healthy and mesothelioma free.
