Medically reviewed by Dr. Ashkan Bahrani, MD | UM Upper Chesapeake Health
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you have many decisions to make about your treatment in the days, weeks and months ahead. One of the first and most important, however, is who to trust to lead your cancer care team. You’ll want that leader to be an oncologist—a physician trained to diagnose and treat cancer.
Doing your homework, asking the right questions and seeking advice from people you trust can help you have a successful oncologist search. Let’s explore six helpful tips for the process.
1. Know the Type of Cancer Specialist You Need
Oncologists specialize in providing certain types of cancer treatment and treating certain types of the disease. The type of cancer you have and what your treatment plan entails will determine what kind of oncologist you need.
For many people with cancer, a medical oncologist may be the first cancer specialist you see. Medical oncologists use chemotherapy and other medications to treat cancer. They often lead patients’ cancer care teams and coordinate with other types of oncologists, including surgical oncologists, who perform cancer-related surgeries, and radiation oncologists, who use radiation therapy to treat cancer.
Some oncologists focus on treating a specific type of cancer, such as breast cancer, gynecologic cancers, blood cancers, nervous system cancers or other types of the disease. You may want to see an oncologist who specializes in your disease site.
2. Gather Advice and Recommendations
Seek the advice of others when choosing an oncologist. Start with your primary care provider. They may recommend or refer you to an oncologist they trust to care for their patients. Your primary care provider may also know an oncologist who specializes in the type of cancer you have.
If you have friends or family members who have undergone cancer treatment, ask them for their recommendations. Their input can be valuable because they know what it’s like to work with the oncologists.
3. Check with Your Insurance Provider When Choosing an Oncologist
Seeing an oncologist who is out of network with your insurance could be costly. Check with your health insurance plan to find in-network specialists, which can help narrow your search.
4. Dive Into the Specifics When Researching Candidates
Small details can make a big difference when choosing an oncologist you can trust and feel comfortable with. Selecting someone who speaks your native language, for example, can help put you at ease and prevent miscommunication.
You may want to choose an oncologist who is board-certified, which signifies a high level of training and current knowledge of cancer care. If you’d prefer to receive treatment at specific hospitals or health systems, find out whether the oncologists you are considering have privileges at those facilities.
5. Hold Face-to-Face Meetings with Your Top Contenders
Make a list of oncologists you’re interested in and, if possible, schedule an initial in-person meeting with at least the two you’re most seriously considering. Interviewing more than one oncologist in this way will help you gather different perspectives on your treatment options and help you decide on the best fit.
When you meet with the oncologists, you’ll likely have many questions you’d like to ask, but trying to remember them on the spot can be difficult. Prepare a list of questions before each meeting so you can be sure to cover everything you want to learn. Some questions to consider asking include:
- How much experience do you have treating the type of cancer I have been diagnosed with?
- Are you board-certified?
- At which hospitals do you have privileges?
- Who will be part of my cancer care team?
- What are your office hours?
- How can I contact you or one of your colleagues outside of office hours?
- Who cares for your patients when you’re away?
- Would I have access to clinical trials through your practice?
No matter how many questions you ask, you’ll have a lot of information to absorb during your meeting with each oncologist. Consider taking a family member or close friend to serve as an extra set of ears, if possible. You can also bring a notepad for jotting down notes or follow-up questions.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek a Second Opinion When Choosing an Oncologist
Choosing a cancer specialist is an important decision. As you navigate your treatment plan, you may have additional questions or want to explore different options. Seeking a second opinion can provide valuable insights and help you feel more confident in your care. Many oncologists welcome this process and can even recommend other specialists to consult.