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Breast cancer is a complex
type of cancer that affects everyone differently. That’s why all breast cancer
patients should follow unique treatment plans tailored to their specific needs.
But your primary care doctor will not have all the information you need to treat
your breast cancer successfully, so that’s where specialists come in. A breast
cancer specialist—an oncologist with special training in breast cancer
treatment—has the right skills and insight to help you stay in control of your breast
cancer. Here’s why:
1. A breast cancer specialist completes
extensive training in breast cancer and is an expert in breast cancer care.
A breast cancer specialist is
a physician who specializes in treating cancers originating in the breast. Breast
cancer can develop due to many factors, so breast cancer specialists must train
extensively to master this area of study. A breast cancer specialist will have
expertise in treating breast cancer and complications related to the cancer.
All doctors complete a
training program called a residency after they finish medical school. But breast
cancer specialists receive considerable training beyond that. Breast cancer
specialists spend several additional years in an oncology fellowship, during
which they train under experienced breast cancer specialists and focus on
patients with breast cancer. At the end of this period, specialists are
qualified to become a board-certified medical oncologist. Look for a doctor who
is board certified in medical oncology, and you’ll know you’re seeing an
expert.
2. A breast cancer specialist never stops
learning about breast cancer.
To maintain their board
certifications, breast cancer specialists must keep up with new developments in
their field. They must complete continuing education and renew their licenses
every few years, depending on the state in which they practice and other
factors. By following these requirements, board-certified breast cancer
specialists stay on top of new treatments and discoveries about the mechanisms
involved in breast cancer, so they can then provide their patients
insightful, informed, and up-to-date treatment plans. This is especially
important for breast cancer patients, because new treatment options have
emerged in recent years that treat the cancer more effectively and efficiently.
3. A breast cancer specialist has extensive
experience in treating breast cancer.
Breast cancer specialists see
a higher volume and concentration of patients with breast cancer, and thus are
more experienced in treating the cancer successfully. Because they see lots of
patients with breast cancer, they can add real-world knowledge of the cancer to
their academic and clinical training. They’re able to assess how well patients
respond to certain treatments, have a deeper understanding of how breast cancer
progresses over time, share insight about effectively implementing lifestyle
changes, and recognize symptoms that a general practitioner may miss, among
other skills.
4. A breast
cancer specialist is a team player.
Breast cancer specialists
work with teams of other health care providers who treat patients with breast
cancer and can connect patients with surgical oncologists, psychiatric
oncologists, oncology nurses, oncology social workers, pain management
specialists, and other experts in breast cancer management. Working with a team
can help patients address all aspects of the disease and ensure success.
5. It’s easy to find the right breast cancer
specialist for you.
There are thousands of breast
cancer specialists in the United States, so how do you know which is the right
doctor for you? By searching on Healthgrades.com, you can identify the best breast
cancer specialist to help you manage your breast cancer successfully.