The First Visit to a Specialist

When you go to see an cancer specialist, they will discuss in detail your disease and the treatment options. There may also be multiple specialists you will see including a surgical oncologist, a medical oncologist, and/or a radiation oncologist.

Many people find that once they leave the office they cannot remember what was said or at least not all that was said. It is a good idea to bring along a supportive friend or family member. We suggest someone who is a good listener, can take notes, and be supportive of your decisions. While you are trying to listen to the provider, they can be taking notes to refer to later and they may be able to think of questions during the appointment that you may not have thought of. You may want to ask for permission to record the conversation, particularly if you have a large family that will want to know everything that was said.

In preparation for the visit, you may want to read some information on your disease. You will be better able to ask questions and understand the healthcare team if you have some basic knowledge about the disease. Visit OncoLink's cancer types menu to read about a particular type of cancer. Other good websites for basic information are the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. If you do not have access to the Internet, ask a friend or family member to print something from the Internet for you, visit your local library or call the American Cancer Society (800-ACS-2345). As you learn more about the disease and treatments, you will likely have many questions. Make a list of these questions and bring them to your appointments. Keep doing this throughout your treatment. It is a great way to be prepared and organized for your appointments.

What to Organize Before Your Specialist Appointment(s)

• Forward all of your recent medical records including operative reports, pathology reports, and radiology reports to your oncologist, or bring copies with you.
• Make sure you have any necessary referrals from your primary care provider before the appointment.
• Bring all of your recent radiology films including x-rays, mammograms, CAT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds to your oncology appointment if these exams were performed at another facility/location. These will be given to you on a disc or CD and can be picked up from the radiology department at the facility that did the test. You may need to give at least 24 hours notice to have them ready to be picked up.
• Bring pathology slides for review if surgery or a biopsy diagnosing cancer was done at another healthcare facility. This should include the actual slides and the report from the pathologist and can be picked up or mailed from the pathology department where the surgery or biopsy was performed.
• Make sure the provider's office has received all of the necessary information prior to your visit if you had things mailed to them. It is best to call a day or 2 ahead in case they have not been received and you need to pick things up. If the office has a navigator, they can be a great point of contact to make sure everything has been received prior to your appointment. Many offices have a new patient coordinator or navigator who can help you with the information needed before your appointment.
• Bring a list of all of your medications and any allergies to medications.
• Bring a list of the healthcare providers and addresses to whom you want reports of the consultation sent.
• Make sure you bring your health insurance identification card(s) and a picture ID if you have one.
• Get all of your questions answered prior to leaving. This is when the question list and the person accompanying you come in handy.
• Be sure to ask who you can direct questions to after your appointment, and during treatment.
• If you need one, make an appointment for a follow-up before you leave.
• Make sure you have the phone number of your provider's secretary, assistant, and/or nurse as well as numbers to call in case of emergency.
• You may need more blood tests, x-rays, or other procedures before getting a final treatment plan. Many centers will want their pathologists and radiologists to review materials or establish a baseline before treatment begins.
• Keep a journal of tests, procedures, and treatments that includes the date, location, and physician involved.
• OncoPilot forms can help you create an organized binder to keep all your treatment information together - get a 3 ring binder to put your pages in and create a treatment binder.