When to See an Oncologist
By Carey Stites
Most of us visit our primary care physician yearly for “the basics” to check in regarding medications, lab work and any tests we need to complete based on our age and medical history.
Once the cancer word is mentioned, fear takes hold and the patient can become relentless in asking questions that the referring physician is simply unable to answer. Many patients will not ask for speculation or predictions out of fear of hearing dreaded news — others will. In an effort to avoid this trap, the referring physician’s intentional vagueness is understandable; on the contrary this gives the oncologist the latitude to craft a more positive and factually based discussion. However, the suspicion of cancer having been raised, it’s essential that prompt arrangements be made for seeing that oncologist.
An individual will often see an oncologist when the primary care physician suspects that the patient has cancer. A primary care physician may use different diagnostic tests and procedures to diagnose a patient. CT scans and an MRI, as well as blood tests, can be used to confirm the diagnosis. If the tests reveal signs of cancer, the primary care doctor may recommend that the patient visits an oncologist.
You will likely be referred to an oncologist if your doctor suspects that you have the disease. Your primary care physician may carry out tests to determine if you might have cancer. If there are any signs of cancer, your doctor may recommend visiting an oncologist as soon as possible. This may be for further testing and treatment. You should expect to work with a group of health care providers while receiving treatment.
Carey Stites, MS, RD, LD, CPT, is a registered and licensed dietitian in Harker Heights. She obtained a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Texas Tech University has been a practicing dietitian since 2001. Carey is also an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer; she has promoted health and wellness through presentations, classes, writing and cooking demonstrations all over Texas.
