Navigating Your Cancer Diagnosis: Choosing the Right Oncologist
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life-altering moment. Finding the right oncologist for you is a crucial first step. As you face this challenging time, it’s important to arm yourself with knowledge about what to look for in a cancer specialist. This guide outlines five key questions to consider when choosing an oncologist, helping you make an informed decision during this uncertain period. Whether you’re just starting your search or seeking a second opinion, these insights aim to empower you to make positive decisions and access high-quality, personalised cancer care.
The top 5 questions to ask before choosing your oncologist:
Are they an expert in treating the type of cancer you have?
When you’re first told that you have cancer, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed with questions and concerns. It’s a difficult time, and you need to access the best care quickly. Finding the right person to get you the treatment you need can seem daunting.
With years of experience of working with people in your exact situation, I understand the complexities and emotional weight of a cancer diagnosis. When you first contact me, I’ll ask you some initial questions to make sure that I’m exactly the right specialist for your specific needs. If I’m not, I’ll honestly refer you to a trusted expert within my extensive network.
I believe that to be considered an expert, I need to have a specialised scope of practice. This ensures that the treatment you receive from me will be world-class and tailored to your particular type and stage of cancer. As your oncologist, my goal is to provide you with access to the most advanced treatments available.
Working in Central London, I’m privileged to be one of a few oncologists with access to the latest radiotherapy techniques, many of which are not available elsewhere in the country. Additionally, I practice at prestigious private London hospitals, offering you access to cutting-edge drug treatments.
When in doubt, choose an oncologist with a busy clinical practice. Not only do I have the experience that I need to give you a tailored, high-quality treatment, but it also means that I’ve seen many people in your situation before. This allows me to take some of the stress out of what is clearly an anxiety-provoking situation and get you started on the treatment you need as soon as possible
How do you make decisions about treatment?
My extensive training and experience at some of the leading universities and cancer centres in the UK and the United States have equipped me to provide you with a highly skilled and well-considered opinion on your treatment options. This background ensures that my decision-making is aligned with the latest advancements in cancer treatments, enabling me to offer you the best possible outcomes.
I am deeply embedded in a network of experts, fostering robust discussions on all clinical decisions to ensure you receive the most effective treatment. I strongly recommend avoiding clinicians who work in isolation. Achieving lasting treatment success requires a collaborative, team-based approach, and I am uniquely positioned to align myself with renowned experts for your benefit.
What support services are available to me?
Getting the best results from your cancer treatment requires more than just access to the latest technology. I always keep in mind that I am caring for you as a whole person and not just treating your cancer. Therefore, I lead a team of clinical nurse specialists, physiotherapists, dieticians and occupational therapists to maintain and optimise your well-being before, during, and after treatment. It’s just as important to support your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being throughout what is undoubtedly a worrying time. I consider all of these factors as part of my commitment to giving you the best quality of care and the support that needs to be available to you at such a difficult time.
How can I get in touch with you if I have a question or a problem?
When you are receiving treatment for cancer, I can’t think of anything that would be more concerning or frustrating for you than not being able to get hold of your oncologist when you need help. This is particularly important if you’re experiencing troublesome symptoms, as these need to be addressed promptly to maintain your quality of life and allow you to do the things that you want to do. My dedicated secretary, Carol, always answers the phone when you call. If she is taking another call when you ring, she will always get back to you as soon as possible, usually within the hour.
I stay in close contact with Carol, allowing me to respond to your questions on the same day you call. Additionally, when you begin your treatment, I will provide you with a contact number for round-the-clock support, including weekends. This way, you can always reach out for advice and assistance, ensuring you never have to manage symptoms or worries alone.
Ask yourself, do I like and trust this person?
Your relationship with your oncologist is crucial as you’ll be seeing them regularly throughout your treatment journey – and for some time into the future.
It’s important that you feel comfortable, respected, and confident in their care. Trust your instincts on this.
When we agree to work together, I want you to feel assured that not only are you receiving the best available treatment, but also that you can confide in me about your worries and concerns. I am genuinely interested in you as a person, not just in treating you as a patient.
Cancer often affects the entire family. I therefore expect to develop a relationship with your loved ones and, with your permission, I’ll answer any questions they might have so that they know how to best support you. If you feel that this isn’t your experience of your oncologist to date, get in touch. This is an important relationship to get right, so that at the end of your treatment and follow-up, you can be confident that I, as your oncologist, did all I could to get you the best outcome.