A: These last few appointments should be structured to allow time to review the full cancer treatment received and to discuss what comes next. Needs of individual patients vary considerably. For example, some patients prefer to race through treatment without asking questions and then need and deserve an opportunity to go over what just happened to them and confirm they have a clear understanding of what will follow. At some point after cancer treatment is complete, a patient's main medical care may eventually move back to their primary care physician. Cancer survivors often say they feel lost in this transition. I recommend each patient takes time with their oncologist to clarify the follow-up schedule of visits and tests recommended for the future. This helps make it clear who will lead each part of their survivorship care and what to expect.
A: Survivors can ask their oncologist for an end of treatment summary that outlines the original diagnosis, including the cancer type, stage, and the treatments received. These details will be important to future health care providers throughout their lifetime. This information should also clearly state the proposed schedule for follow-up visits and recommended scans and other testing to monitor the person's recovery, also called a "survivorship care plan."
Off to the oncologist
It is also becoming more common for oncologists to prescribe oral chemotherapy/ immunotherapy treatment that comes in the form of pills or capsules. Oral treatment allows you to receive treatment at home but still requires special instructions and needs close monitoring by your healthcare team.
Cancer care is usually managed by a medical oncologist. Our team of board-certified medical oncologists, including Wendy Wang, MD, PhD, Andrew Yang, MD, Amir Mehrvarz, MD and Peter Jiang, MD, PhD are responsible for ordering chemotherapy/immunotherapy and work closely with other providers involved in your care.
Most cancer care can be managed on Whidbey. If specialized care such as stem cell transplants or a research protocol is needed, your medical oncologist will refer you accordingly and help coordinate care. We want to help you stay in your community as much as possible.
If your oncologist believes you are a potential candidate for a clinical trial they will discuss this option with you. They are also aware of other trials going on in Seattle. If they believe one of these trials would be beneficial, and you are interested, they will refer you to see someone.
Goshen Center for Cancer Care can help. If you or a loved one has received a cancer diagnosis, our highly skilled oncologists are available to help answer your questions. Please fill out the form below to have one of our cancer care experts contact you.
Rao Mushtaq, MD, is a board certified medical oncologist and hematologist in Thornton, CO. He treats all cancers in adults, including breast, colorectal, lung, urological, leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Christopher B. Jones, MD is a board certified medical oncologist and hematologist in Denver, CO. He treats all cancers in adults, including breast, colorectal, lung, urological, leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Robert Kantor, MD, is a board certified medical oncologist and hematologist in Golden, CO. He treats all cancers in adults, including breast, colorectal, lung, urological, leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
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