Beat Cancer by Finding the Best Place for Your Treatment

Program Description

A cancer diagnosis is shocking, but it's good to know that in most cases, you don't need to make treatment decisions overnight or on an emergency basis. You have time to get the most knowledgeable doctors and find a medical center where you feel comfortable and trusting.

Actions

1. Look for doctors who are specialists in medical, surgical or radiation oncology.

2. Your doctors should be board-certified, meaning that they have had specialized training and certification in oncology.

3. Ask your primary care or family doctor for a recommendation for a cancer doctor.

4. Look for cancer specialists who practice at National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated regional centers by looking at the NCI website: https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/factsheet/FactsheetSearch.aspx?FSType=1.2.

5. Also check out the physician directory maintained by The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) at: http://www.cancer.net/portal/site/patient.

6. When you've narrowed your choice of doctors, find out more about their hospitals.

7. Give a preference to hospitals or medical centers that treat many patients with your kind of cancer.

8. Give a preference to hospitals or medical centers that offer the chance to participate in clinical trials.

9. Make sure your cancer treatment facility offers support services like dietitians and psychologists.

10. Make sure you can travel relatively easily to your cancer treatment site.

11. Check that your insurance plan is accepted at your cancer treatment facility.