Finding the right oncologist for your breast cancer journey

When I was diagnosed with stage two triple negative breast cancer in 2017, I was referred to a certain oncologist for my chemotherapy treatment. I asked around and heard things like, ‘You must go to her!' and ‘She's fantastic.' I trusted their recommendations and they were right. She was attentive and caring and never stopped being a champion in my corner. This oncologist made the hardest parts of my treatment much easier because I knew I could call her at any time and question or say anything without judgment. When I was struggling emotionally and wanted to just quit treatment, she spent time with me talking it out and calming me down.

When she left the practice and joined another one an hour away, I tried the doctor who took over for her, but after he and I argued over an insurance issue, I decided to follow my favorite oncologist to her new location. Now that she's relocating several states away, it has become time to find another new one. But how do you find the right one or switch if the one you have just isn't working out?

Libby Hansen experienced a difficult oncologist during her journey. “He was not a caring physician at all, argued with me and even forgot which breast had the cancer,” said Hansen, who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in July 2017. She has since had a double mastectomy in 2018 and became stage 3 in May 2018.

“When my breast cancer metastasized to my left femur and numerous other spots, he told me he couldn't help me and referred me to the Mayo Clinic. I was thankful he did because it saved me from having to tell him I needed someone new,” she said. “I wanted an oncologist who didn't forget me and who really wanted to save my life.”

It took quite some time to get an appointment at the Mayo Clinic, so Hansen found another oncologist in the meantime. “I can't tell you how wonderful my current oncologist is, and I thank him every time I see him for saving my life,” she said. “When he heard that Keytruda along with radiation was having some success for triple negative breast cancer he wasn't afraid to give it a try. I became NED (no evidence of disease) in January 2021 and am still NED today.”

Stephanie Scalise, a breast cancer survivor and founder of Strides for Survivors, said her oncologist had the knowledge, but lacked the bedside manner. “He would answer questions with one word,” she said. “The new oncologist was willing to talk with me, answer my concerns and reassure me that my questions were valid.”

Jen Coken said her oncologist didn't look her in the eyes when she spoke. “She spoke very clinically and at one point said something like, ‘And what does our Oncotype score tell us?' as if we were in 1st grade. I grabbed my friend's hand and said nothing. She also had a nurse with her and instructed her to touch my breasts without my consent. It was just weird. She is highly regarded in her field, but her bedside manner was not so great.”

The friend who went to the appointment with Coken advised her to get a new oncologist because it would be a long-term relationship. “The oncologist I wound up with was personable, put me at ease, and really listened, that is what I looked for.”

To find an oncologist you can ask for recommendations from a friend, like Coken did, or you can search online in such free searchable databases as the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), The American Board of Medical Specialties, The American Medical Association, and the American College of Surgeons.

The American Cancer Society suggests choosing a doctor who has experience treating your type of cancer, who is part of your health insurance plan and/or accepts your health insurance and who has privileges at a cancer center or hospital that you're willing to use.

Finally, and probably most importantly, choose a doctor you feel comfortable with and leave one if you don't feel comfortable. You can ask for a telehealth or in-person consultation to get a feel for whether your relationship will be a fit.

The American Cancer Society says to ask yourself these questions before deciding on an oncologist:

• Did the doctor give you a chance to ask questions?

• Did you feel the doctor was listening to you?

• Did the doctor seem comfortable answering your questions?

• Did the doctor talk to you in a way that you could understand?

• Did you feel the doctor respected you and what is important to you?

• Did the doctor mention treatment options and ask your preferences?

• Did you feel the doctor spent enough time with you?

For more information on finding the right oncologist, visit https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/choosing-your-treatment-team/where-to-find-cancer-care/choosing-a-cancer-doctor.html.