What To Expect From Your Medical Oncologist

What can you expect from your Medical Oncologist?

The primary job of a medical oncologist is managing cancer. Most medical oncologists think of themselves as more than just chemotherapy doctors. In fact most medical oncologists wear many hats.

During the course of your treatment, your medical oncologist needs to correctly diagnose and assess the stage of your cancer, recommend and implement a treatment plan and monitor your progress.

To do these things your oncologist needs to use many skills including:

• Counsellor and advisor: your oncologist should explain your diagnosis, your prognosis and your treatment options to you and your family.
• Physician and carer: your oncologist will not only look after your cancer but also your needs including management of your symptoms. Often your oncologist is the person who will start palliative care, if needed.
• Student and researcher: your oncologist will keep up to date with the latest treatments and will often be involved in testing them through clinical trials and medical research.
• Manager: your oncologist will usually be part of a multidisciplinary team and often be the main manager of that team.