Cancer can be a terrifying prospect for any patient, which is why it is important to receive the right care from the right doctor. For cancer, the main medical professional you want to have on your treatment team is an oncologist, who will help oversee your treatment. But how do you know when you should be seeing this kind of specialist? Experts are prepared to help you with all of your health needs, including helping you know when you should contact an oncologist.

6 Signs You Should Contact an Oncologist

In its derivative Greek, oncology means the "study of volume or mass" as it relates to the human body. Over the last several decades, physicians specializing in oncology have become more common as medicine searches for cures to cancer. With the goal of helping every patient recover from a cancer diagnosis, these physicians are in high demand. Here are the signs it might be time to seek one out:

1. You Have a New Prognosis

One of the more common reasons patients see physicians specializing in oncology is because of a newly confirmed prognosis of cancer. While a diagnosis is the process of identifying a disease, a prognosis is the confirmation and identification of the disease. When patients are confirmed to have cancer by their primary care physicians, the next step for their healthcare is usually an oncology referral.

An oncology physician is specially trained in how to test and treat cancer. When patients have a new cancer prognosis, an oncology physician can work with a healthcare team to formulate a specialized treatment plan for the patient. An oncology physician can also determine the stage of the cancer, which may influence the type of treatment the patient receives.

2. You Suspect Cancer

Patients who have suspected cancer but do not have a formal prognosis are also commonly seen by oncology specialists. If a patient has signs of suspected cancer, a primary care physician may send the patient to an oncology physician for a formal diagnosis, which will include several tests. An oncology physician will study the medical history and test results of a patient with suspected cancer to determine the type of cancer, if any, and then begin the treatment plan.

Common Early Signs of Cancer

It's important to know what symptoms might be an indicator of a bigger health concern so that patients can catch cancer earlier and work on preventative health solutions. Some common early signs of cancer to watch out for include:

• Persistent cough
• Constant sore throat
• Unhealing sore or lump in the mouth
• New lump on the body
• New thickening of body tissue
• Unusual bleeding
• Changes in bowel movements
• Changes in bladder habits
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Continuous indigestion
• Soreness in neck
• Change in wart or mole
• An unusual patch of skin

3. You Need a Second Opinion

Patients also see oncology physicians for a second opinion on a diagnosis or prognosis. In fact, seeking a second opinion to confirm suspected cancer is one of the larger roles an oncology specialist plays. For a second opinion, an oncology specialist will review medical information and prior tests and will likely order new tests to confirm results. Second opinions are important for patient health to make sure that the patient is receiving the proper care.

If an oncology physician confirms suspected cancer with a second opinion, they will work with your healthcare team to create the right treatment plan. If an oncology physician does not confirm suspected cancer, they may discuss with you alternate explanations and treatments for your health concerns. At request, many physicians will also refer you to another oncology physician to seek a third opinion if necessary, which is sometimes the case in rare or abnormally behaving cancers.

4. You Need Cancer Treatment

The biggest sign you should be seeing an oncology physician is if you have a confirmed cancer prognosis and are seeking to undergo treatment. An oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer, and so they are specially trained to provide patients with robust treatments tailored to the exact needs of the patient. It is always ideal to seek treatment directly from an oncology specialist rather than a primary care physician.

If you are seeking cancer treatment with an oncology physician, then it is important to make sure you are seeing the right doctor. Oncology physicians have a few specialties for the treatment of cancer, including:

Medical

A medical oncology specialist is in charge of first-line cancer treatments, or those that are used as initial interventions to slow the spread or eliminate cancer. A medical oncology specialist uses treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy to treat cancer. These physicians may also use other medications for treatment.

Surgical

A surgical oncology specialist has two important roles in the treatment of cancer. The first is performing a biopsy, which is the removal of a small amount of suspected cancerous tissue to test for abnormalities. The second is to surgically remove cancerous tumors and nearby tissue that may be compromised.

Radiation

A radiation oncology specialist oversees the treatment of more aggressive cancer treatments, particularly radiation therapy, which is meant to inactivate cancer cells. Radiation treatment is often used in tandem with chemotherapy, so it is common for medical and radiation oncology specialists to work together to monitor treatment.

Specialists

Patients may need to receive care from an oncology physician who specializes in one type of cancer. For example, an oncology physician may specialize in the treatment of pediatric cancer, gynecologic cancer, or hematologic (blood) cancers. Other specialists may focus more on types of cancer, such as skin cancer, breast cancer, or prostate cancer, all of which have different approaches to treatment.

5. You're Interested in New Treatment Options

Patients sometimes visit oncology physicians to explore new treatment options. This may include patients who have undergone common treatments like chemotherapy and radiation who have not had success, as well as patients who are looking for alternative treatments. Many oncology specialists are part of a wider community of physicians who are exploring clinical trials for new treatments and may be able to refer patients to clinical trials for the testing of new cancer treatment drugs.

6. You Need to Be Monitoring Remission

The last sign you may need to see an oncology physician is to monitor your remission. Oncology specialists are trained to oversee the recovery of cancer patients as well as monitor the continued remission of patients after cancer is no longer active. It is one of the most important roles of oncology physicians to monitor patient health to ensure that cancer does not progress to more aggressive stages. Monitoring remission is an essential step in preventative cancer care.

Regular Check-Ups

Even during remission, it is common for patients to receive regular check-ups from oncology physicians, particularly those who have undergone surgeries for the removal of cancerous tumors. Check-ups to monitor the remission of cancer are usually done every 1 or 2 years. A physician will examine the body or the area where the cancer was initially present, ask about any new symptoms, and may order tests to verify remission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an Oncology Referral Mean You Have Cancer?

No, not always. Sometimes primary care physicians refer patients to oncology specialists to verify that cancer is not present in the patient. Oncology specialists are often trained in diagnosing other rare medical conditions and can then refer patients to specialists for treatment.

What Can You Expect During Consultation?

During a consultation, you can expect an oncology specialist to gather a lot of medical information about you, including your general medical history, current health issues, current medications and supplements, and any drug allergies you may have. Your consultation will also include going over any test results you have, examining the area of suspected cancer, and ordering new tests to confirm a possible diagnosis.

What Tests Can You Expect?

An oncology specialist uses many tests to confirm cancer, including blood work, imaging tests, and biopsies. These tests are all minimally invasive for the patient and provide physicians with the necessary information to finalize a prognosis. Some of these tests are commonly used to monitor cancer remission or to verify that cancer is no longer active in the body.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Doctor?

There are several questions patients should ask an oncology specialist, especially during the first appointment. For example, patients should ask for information about their specific type of cancer, as knowing about the cancer and how it behaves can make patients less anxious. Other questions patients should ask include subjects about nutritional needs, care needs, ability to work, the goals and expectations of treatment, and the outlook for recovery. It is very important that patients ask a trusted physician about what they can expect about treatment.

Patients should also feel free to ask their physician questions about the possibility of participating in clinical trials for new treatments, or about alternative treatment options, if any. Patients may also want to know about what life will be like after cancer or if there are any additional resources they can use during treatment, such as support groups or family support resources.

When Should You See an Oncologist?

Timing is key for when a patient should see an oncology specialist. If a patient has a new prognosis or a suspected diagnosis of cancer, it is recommended that patients attend an appointment with an oncology physician within 1 to 2 months of the referral. This is because earlier treatment means better chances of successful treatment for patients. Patients should also see an oncology specialist if they:

• Have early signs of cancer
• Want alternative treatment options
• Need specialized care
• Want a second opinion
• Have complex health concerns
• Need cancer remission monitoring
• Want additional resources or support

Your fight against cancer is something that will require an expansive care team that will attend to all of your healthcare needs. The most important player on that team is your oncology physician, who will help diagnose and treat your cancer as well as help guide you through the emotional toll of cancer treatment.

If you think any of these six signs apply to your healthcare needs, contact your local doctor to schedule your consultation appointment. Your continued health is our number one priority.