Your breast cancer care team brings together doctors, nurses, social workers,
and others — all with different training and skillsets — to
offer support before, during, and after treatment. If you’ve recently
been diagnosed with breast cancer, remembering the titles of all the people
involved in your care and what they do can be overwhelming. Here are just
a few of the caregivers you meet on your journey.
Medical oncologist
A medical oncologist is often the main health care provider during cancer
treatment and is sometimes the first person you’ll meet once you’ve
been told you have cancer, depending on the cancer type. Medical oncologists
are doctors who specialize in cancer diagnosis and treatment. They usually
treat cancer with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. They
diagnose, recommend treatment, oversee treatment effectiveness, and coordinate
other specialists such as your surgeons.
Surgical oncologist
Also known as oncology surgeons, surgical oncologists are doctors who have
training in surgical procedures to treat cancer, such as lumpectomy and
mastectomy. They also can perform a biopsy to diagnose cancer. Depending
on the type of cancer you have, you might meet with a surgeon first to
go over your treatment plan, rather than a medical oncologist. They also
understand other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, so they
can explain your treatment options to you.
Radiation oncologist
Radiation oncologists are doctors who specialize in radiation therapy to
treat cancer. With the help of imaging techniques, such as CT scans and
MRIs, radiation oncologists can learn information about a tumor and map
out how best to deliver high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. People
who receive radiation therapy may also be treated with chemotherapy, surgery,
and targeted therapy.
Plastic surgeon
A plastic surgeon is a doctor trained in breast reconstruction and procedures
to recreate the appearance of the breast. If you decide to have breast
reconstruction after a lumpectomy or mastectomy, your oncology surgeon
and plastic surgeon will work together during the operation.
Pathologist
A pathologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing cancer by looking
at cells and tissues under a microscope. You won’t personally meet
a pathologist, but after they examine your biopsy tissue, they write up
a pathology report that describes your diagnosis and may do additional
tests on cancer tissue or blood to describe your type of breast cancer.
This report typically is sent to your medical oncologist, surgeon, and
radiation oncologist so that all treating physicians always have access to it.
Oncology nurses or nurse practitioners
Oncology nurses and nurse practitioners are nurses who have extensive knowledge
in working with people who are going through treatment for cancer. You
might see an oncology nurse working with different people on your cancer
care team, such as radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, or in surgery.
They administer medications, infusion therapy, manage radiation side effects,
educate, and coordinate care with other members of your care team.
Breast cancer care navigators
Nurse navigators are a requirement for hospitals with accredited cancer
programs. East Jefferson was the first hospital in our region to launch
a navigator program. Breast cancer nurse navigators help put all the pieces
to the puzzle together and are key to maneuvering and understanding the
complex treatment journey. These specially trained nurses guide you, and
your family, through every aspect of your cancer journey by coordinating
appointments, explaining new terminologies/procedures, referring you to
reliable resources, and acting as a sound board for your concerns. They
can help financially navigate with suggestions about programs and grants
available to ease the financial burden of treatment.
Social workers who specialize in cancer care have training and expertise
in how to support people working through the emotions that may come with
a cancer diagnosis. They can help guide you to mental and spiritual resources
such as finding support groups, connecting you with financial or transportation
assistance, and advocate for you when there are barriers to your care
— like providing information on family leave and disability benefits.
Dietician
Registered dieticians can specialize in working with people living with
cancer. They can help you manage side effects such as nausea and vomiting
from chemotherapy or from cancer itself. Dieticians can offer meal planning,
weight concern suggestions, and changes in taste, smell, and appetite
that cancer treatment can bring.
Genetics and Survivorship Nurse
A genetics nurse is a specialized registered nurse trained to provide health
care and support for patients who have genetic-related diseases like cancer
and need genetic counseling or testing. Genetics nurses are knowledgeable
and skilled in providing patients with information about their genetic
condition, assisting with coordinating care to maximize health outcomes,
as well as providing education and support for families.
Questions or concerns about breast cancer call our cancer navigator 504-503-5594.
