According to the National Cancer Institute, over 40.5% of people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their life. That’s why it’s very important to talk with a med onc early on, see if you have any signs of cancer, and treat them before it’s too late. Working closely with an onco doctor is helpful, because he can diagnose, and also help with cancer treatments. Let’s learn more about the role of an oncologist and how they can help you!
What is an oncologist?
An onco doctor or an oncologist is a cancer doctor. The doctor is specialized in running tests for cancer diagnosis, identifying any treatment options, while also talking with the patient about side effects and assessing the treatment progress. A med onc also helps manage post-treatment care as well.
Is it necessary to talk with an oncologist only if you have cancer? No, in fact, it’s a good idea to visit an oncologist as soon as you encounter any signs of cancer. That way, he can provide a second opinion alongside a generalist doctor. Talking with an oncologist might help you obtain a diagnosis quicker. And as we know, the sooner you identify cancer, the higher the chances of survival will be.
What types of onco doctor can you visit?
Since cancer is a very complex disease, there are different types of oncologists that you could visit. It’s a multidisciplinary approach, and that helps specialists focused on different areas to combine their expertise in order to treat a patient.
- Surgical oncologists are specialized in removing tumors, along with any surrounding tissue that might have cancerous cells in it.
- Neurological oncologists are specialized in brain tumors and cancers specific to the nervous system.
- Thoracic oncologists will focus on the esophagus, lungs, and cancers found inside the chest area.
- As the name suggests, pediatric oncologists are the type of med onc that will treat cancers specific to kids. These can be Ewing sarcoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or childhood brain tumors.
- Gynecologic oncologists focus on ovarian, uterine, or cervical cancer.
- However, aside from specialized oncologists, you also have radiation oncologists who use radiation therapy as a means to treat cancer. That can help shrink tumors or kill cancer cells after surgery.
What can you expect during the first meeting with an onco doctor?
The oncologist will focus on learning more about your current health and any cancer-related symptoms that you may have. That means he will take a look at the family and medical history but also talk with you about your lifestyle. Sometimes, oncologists will organize tests that help with the diagnosis process, such as imaging scans/tests, blood tests, and even a biopsy.
After the onco doctor receives those results, he will discuss them with you and send the findings to the healthcare providers. The oncologist also gives you access to necessary resources while outlining a multitude of treatment options.
When do you need an oncologist?
Generally, you should meet with an onco doctor if you are suspecting cancer. The oncologist’s main focus is to help you diagnose any form of cancer, but he is also there to assist after the cancer treatment is completed. That’s because, in some cases, cancer might be coming back, or the cancer treatments could leave certain side effects. Because of that, you still need to visit the oncologist so he can ensure any signs of cancer are receding. Otherwise, the oncologist will figure out how to navigate any side effects or what treatments might be necessary.
If you’re wondering when to call an oncologist, it’s very important to track any signs of cancer. That means you should check if you have any of the following symptoms. However, not all of them are specific to cancer, but regardless, it’s still a good idea to talk with a med onc as quickly as possible. These symptoms include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Chest pain, breathlessness, and coughing
- Bloating for 3 weeks or more
- Unexplained weight loss
- Dull pain in your tummy or back
- Hoarseness
- Randomly bruising or bleeding
- Skin changes, including things like redness or darkening
- Some skin sores are not healing
- You have a lump or a thickened area that you can feel right under your skin
If you have any of these symptoms (or more of them), it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with an oncologist. That way, you can see whether any type of cancer brings the symptoms or if it’s another health issue causing them.
Closing thoughts
Visiting an onco doctor is a great way to identify any type of cancer and receive an adequate diagnosis. An oncologist will look at all the symptoms and test data, then provide you with a diagnosis. Even if you don’t have cancer, it’s still a good idea to schedule an appointment with a med onc. That’s because identifying any type of cancer early on will increase the chances of treating it. Dr. Jonathan Stegall is here to help right away, so don’t hesitate and schedule your appointment today!
