Your hospital team
Your consultant is an oncologist, a doctor who specialises in the treatment of cancer. Clinical oncologists are the doctors who treat cancers using chemotherapy, radiotherapy hormonal treatments and other drugs and surgical oncologists use surgery to treat cancer.
It is usually the medical oncologist who has overall responsibility for your care. Your consultant is supported by the Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT), which comprises of several cancer ‘experts’, who meet weekly to discuss your case.
Members of the MDT include the oncologists, surgeons, nurse specialists, pathologists, radiologists, physiotherapists, dietitians and occupational therapists. Getting everyone together to discuss your case ensures all experts can offer advice in their own area of expertise, ensuring the best individualised treatment plan for you. Most cancer treatment plans involve a combination of medical and surgical treatments.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions at your hospital appointments. Understanding what is happening, and why, can help build trust in your consultant, help you cope with treatment and side effects and give you peace of mind that your treatment and care plan is the best one for you.
Medical appointments can create anxiety and there is often lots of information to take in. It is easy to forget what you wanted to ask. It is a good idea to write your questions down and take them with you. Taking someone with you is a good idea, not just for support but also a second ‘pair of ears’ and perhaps to take notes of the important points.
As well as your consultant, you may be given a contact number for a clinical nurse specialist e.g. ‘breast care nurse’ or ‘urology nurse’. These are specialist nurses, who work closely with the consultants and can also answer most questions you may have.
We are here for you too if you need a friendly chat. We can help you make sense of information you have been given, explain your diagnosis and give you time to talk things through.