During your treatment, you will come in contact with many healthcare professionals. These people make up your treatment team. They will work with each other and with you to provide the special care you need. Your treatment team may include some of the healthcare professionals listed below.
Ideally, your treatment will be provided and managed by a gynecologic oncologist and a multi-disciplinary team. Multi-disciplinary teams offer comprehensive surgical care and medical treatment of female reproductive cancers. Such team can manage your care from diagnosis to completion of treatment including all aspects of care, such as emotional and esthetic care. The better survival is related to the fact that advanced multi-disciplinary teams are more likely to remove more of the cancer at the time of surgery and more accurately determine the stage of the cancer and act on the comprehensive care to improve patient quality of life.
In a team you may be treated by a:
• Medical oncologist
who specializes in using drug therapy (chemotherapy) to treat cancer.
• Radiation oncologist
who specializes in using radiation therapy to treat cancer.
• Oncology nurse
who specializes in cancer care. An oncology nurse can work with you on every aspect of your care, from helping you understand your diagnosis and treatment to providing emotional and social support.
• Social worker or patient navigator
who are professionally trained in counseling and personal assistance such as psychologists, medical esthetics, osteopaths and family counselors. They are very helpful advocates, especially when you are first diagnosed and unsure what to do next.
• Nutritionist or registered dietitian
who are expert in helping you either maintain or initiate healthy eating habits. This is important in the recovery process.
These professionals can help you overcome potential side effects of treatment. It is important to note that natural remedies and supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a physician.
Talking with Your Treatment Team
You deserve expert advice and treatment from your treatment team. Be sure to talk openly about your concerns with the members of your treatment team. Let them know what is important to you. If it is hard for you to speak for yourself, these tips may help:
- Make a list of questions before your visit. Ask the most important questions first.
- Take notes or ask if you can tape record your medical office visits and phone conversations.
- If you don’t understand something, ask the treatment team member to explain it again in a different way.
- If possible, bring another person with you when you meet with members of your treatment team to discuss test results and treatment options.
- Nipple changes or discharge.
- Nipple pulling to one side or a change in direction.