NEWLY DIAGNOSED PROSTATE CANCER GUIDE
Your Healthcare Team To receive the best care possible, seek care from a multidisciplinary team. A multidisciplinary team is a group of healthcare professionals from different specialties who work together to suggest a treatment plan for you based on your diagnosis, personal health, and preferences. This approach helps ensure you have the best health outcome and highest quality of life. Keep in mind that you have a choice in who manages your care. This is about finding the right treatment team to work with to make the right decisions for you and with you. Learn more at zerocancer.org/healthcare-team .
A multidisciplinary team may include:
Urologist A urologist is a physician specializing in diseases of the male reproductive organs and male and female urinary tract. Some urologists have oncology training. Many urologists are also involved in certain aspects of other forms of therapy including radiation therapy, hormone therapy, treatment of advanced disease, clinical trials, and active surveillance. All urologists are surgeons as well, and many perform prostate cancer surgery. Radiation Oncologist A radiation oncologist is a highly trained physician specializing in the treatment of prostate cancer using the various types of radiation approved to treat the disease. Medical Oncologist A medical oncologist is a physician who specializes in the non-surgical treatment of cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, and other drugs. Primary Care Physician A primary care physician (PCP) is often an internist or family medicine physician who treats common illnesses and oversees general care. Oncology Social Worker Oncology social workers are trained to work with cancer patients and their families. It is important to understand your emotional well-being and get the support you need mentally, as well as physically. An oncology social worker provides individual counseling, access to support groups, and referrals to related services for men with prostate cancer.
A PATIENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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