It’s likely that relevant health professionals will meet to discuss what treatments are best for individual women in their care. This is called multidisciplinary care.
At different times in the cancer journey, a different treatment team member might be the main co-ordinator of a woman’s care. This person might be the breast surgeon, medical oncologist, breast care nurse, GP or another member of the team. This role may change over time, so it’s important for women to find out who to contact about any concerns.
Members of the breast cancer treatment team
The following health professionals may be involved in the care of a woman with breast cancer:
- general practitioner: provides ongoing care and works with other members of the treatment team
- surgeon: specialises in surgery, including biopsies
- pathologist: examines cells, tissue and blood from the body
- radiologist: examines mammograms, ultrasounds, X-rays and other imaging results and may perform biopsies or help locate cancers prior to surgery
- radiation oncologist: specialises in radiotherapy
- radiation therapist: assists in planning and giving radiotherapy
- medical oncologist: specialises in cancer drugs such as hormonal therapies, chemotherapy and targeted therapies
- breast care nurse: specialises in caring for people with breast cancer
- oncology nurse: specialises in caring for people with cancer
- research nurse: assists in the planning and coordination of clinical research studies and clinical trials
- psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor: specialise in providing emotional support and managing anxiety and depression
- social worker: specialises in providing emotional support, counselling and advice about some practical and legal matters
- welfare worker: provides practical support and advice
- physiotherapist, occupational therapist: assist with exercise and pain management
- dietitian: specialises in providing advice about what to eat
- palliative care specialist, palliative care nurse: specialise in providing practical support and symptom relief
- community/district nurse: provides care and support at home
- community palliative care team: provide practical support and symptom relief at home
- plastic surgeon: specialises in breast reconstruction after breast surgery
- pharmacist: specialises in supplying, dispensing and manufacturing drugs
- pastoral care/religious representative: provides spiritual support.
Talking to health professionals
It’s important for women with breast cancer to feel comfortable with the members of their treatment team.
It’s OK to ask health professionals questions and to ask for more information. Some people find it overwhelming to receive lots of information, while others want as much information as they can find. It may take a while to feel confident to ask questions.
Tips for talking with health professionals
- Tell the people managing your care how much you want to be involved with decisions about your treatment.
- Ask as many questions as you need to, and don’t worry about asking the same question more than once.
- Write down questions when they occur to you so you can remember them when you meet with members of your healthcare team.
- Ask a relative or friend to come to your appointments and ask them to write down what the doctor or nurse says.
- If your doctor agrees, tape record your discussions so you and your family can listen again later.
- Ask your doctor or nurse to write down what was said during your appointments.
- Ask if there’s a breast care nurse you can meet with to go through any other questions you might have.
Questions to ask
Listed below are some questions that may be helpful when first talking with members of the treatment team.
- Who are the members of my health care team?
- Who is my main contact person?
- Who will be involved in discussions about my treatment and care?
- Who can I call if I have questions about my treatment and care?
- Can I bring a friend/family member to my appointments?
- Do you mind if I tape record our discussion?
- Can you write down what you have told me?
- Who should I contact in an emergency?
