Decisions you make just after your diagnosis with colorectal cancer will affect you for many years to come. Choosing a doctor or team of doctors for cancer care will be one of your most important decisions. One of the key members of the team of providers will be the medical oncologist who will see you as you begin treatment. The medical oncologist will also see you for surveillance for many years; thus, it is important to select someone you can relate to and trust. The following information is designed to guide you in choosing a doctor(s) as you begin your new journey.
Types of cancer doctors
- Medical oncologists – treat cancer and manage the course of treatment, including referrals to other specialists.
- Hematologists – treat diseases of the blood and related tissues, including bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes.
- Radiation oncologists – use x-rays and other types of radiation to diagnose and treat cancer.
- Surgical oncologists – specialize in cancer surgery.
How to locate a doctor
- Check the list of doctors on your health insurance plan, which is often available online or in a booklet supplied by your insurance company.
- Get referrals from a primary care physician or the physician who diagnosed your cancer.
- Get referrals from family and friends who had a positive experience with a doctor.
- Check with local medical societies.
- Look for a local cancer center and the doctors associated with it.
- Check out the doctors at a local university teaching hospital.
Issues some patients consider when looking for a doctor
- Does the doctor accept your insurance?
- Is the doctor accepting new patients?
- What are the doctor’s office hours?
- Where is the doctor located?
- Does the doctor speak the language you are most comfortable with?
- Who else will be part of the health care team?
- What is the doctor’s approach to your disease?
- What hospital does the doctor use when admitting patients?
- Is the doctor board certified?
- Is the doctor affiliated with a medical school?
- Does the doctor participate in clinical trials?
- Does the doctor keep up with current research?
- Is the doctor good at managing pain and the effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment?
- Is the doctor open to your questions?
- Is the doctor a good listener?
- Do you feel comfortable with the doctor?
- Does he or she explain things in terms you can understand?
- Can you trust the doctor? Can you confide in him or her?
- Will the doctor and his or her health care team assist you with finding support groups, wigs, and other things a cancer patient needs?
Organizations that can help you locate information
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
AHRQ publishes Your Guide to Choosing Quality Health Care to help patients choose doctors and hospitals. Visit the web site or phone 1–800–358–9295.
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
To check on whether a doctor is board certified, visit the web site or visit your local library and ask for the Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists. Telephone: 1-866-ASK-ABMS or 1-866-275-2267
American Cancer Society (ACS)
ACS provides a web site that guides patients in the process of choosing a doctor and cancer care facility. The ACS accredits cancer programs at hospitals and other treatment facilities. More than 1,400 programs in the United States have been designated by the ACS as Approved Cancer Programs. The ACS Web site offers a searchable database of these programs.
American College of Surgeons (ACS)
The ACS maintains a list of surgeons who are members of the organization and provides physician names, location, and specialty. Visit the web site or phone ACS at 312–202–5000.
American Medical Association (AMA)
The AMA doctor’s locator service provides information on physicians, including contact information, medical school, residency training, and specialty area(s).
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Visit the organization on the web to find a list of cancer specialist world wide who are involved in clinical research and patient care.
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
JCAHO evaluates hospitals to see if they meet quality standards. Visit the web site to see which nearby hospitals are accredited. Call (630) 792-5800 to get a paper copy of the Quality Check list.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
NCI publishes a fact sheet titled "How To Find a Doctor or Treatment Facility If You Have Cancer." To access the fact sheet, visit the web site or phone 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
National Library of Medicine
The organization maintains a list of articles published by physicians. To find out whether your physician has done research on or published articles on your type of cancer, visit the PubMed web site.