Who is the best doctor to treat this cancer? How do I find that doctor?

Who is the best doctor to treat this cancer?
How do I find that doctor?

People use different criteria when choosing a physician.
Many factors will influence people’s decisions,
including the physician’s experience treating cancer
and his or her technical skills, the hospital’s location,
insurance coverage, and personal factors, such as the
physician’s ability to gain trust and confidence (or
“bedside manner”). Interview physicians; assess their
experience and other criteria that you and your loved
one consider important. If you have just received the
diagnosis of cancer, you and the patient may consider
seeking a second opinion from a cancer specialist in
your area, ideally from a physician who routinely
treats cancer.

Finding the right doctor is sometimes stressful. If you
do not already have a doctor to treat your cancer, you
may want to ask your primary care physician for a
referral. National organizations can also help you find
an appropriate physician. We have provided a list of
Internet resources that may be helpful in your doctor
search (see the Appendix for a list of resources). Additionally,
if you are comfortable, ask family or friends
for the names of oncologists they know and liked. We
provide several resources you may use to locate cancer
specialists (see the Appendix). You may also contact
your insurance company for a referral suggestion.

Questions to ask a doctor:

1. Years of experience treating cancer (How long have
you been treating patients with cancer?)

2. Specialization (Are you experienced in treating the
type of cancer my loved one has? If so, how many
cases do you treat a year? Are you involved in
researching new treatments for this type of cancer?)

3. Communication (Where can I find more information
about my loved one’s cancer? If I have questions,
how should I let you know?)

4. Insurance plan coverage (Do you participate with
my insurance policy? If not, then what are alternative
payment options?)

5. Proposed treatment plans (What is the recommended
treatment for this cancer? What is the
goal(s) of treatment? Is there treatment other than
the standard treatment? Is my loved one eligible
for any clinical trials?)