How to evaluate a cancer doctor?

Posted by lbern @lbern, Feb 26, 2019

I like my doctor. He is very nice and does a good job of calming me down. But I was given a life expectancy of 3-6 months,3 months age so everything seems so urgent to me, and it seems my cancer is progressing, so being a nice person might not be enough. I realize when the hospital assigned him to me, I never asked how much experience, how many patients have you treated with my particular cancer? I wonder if there's a way to find this out. I also wonder if there are statistics that show how successful different oncologists are treating particular cancers. I feel like asking now would be really rude and might create a tainted relationship. Wondering how patients can find out things like that without fearing insulting their doctor. Also if there are other things I should ask. I can't believe I didn't think of this at the time I met him....

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

Ask all the questions you want/need. If the doc gets bothered, he’s probably not the best. Also, GET A SECOND OPINION! I can’t stress this enough, even a third or fourth if you feel the need. I had an oncologist chew. E out because I got a second opinion. Turns out, doc1 had trained doc2 years ago, he was upset with doc #2 for going to work at another cancer center. Needless to say I didn’t go back to doc1. All of the oncologists I’ve seen since, (which has been quite a few, with 2 rare cancers) have encouraged me to get second opinions.

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@kimber361

Hi @lbern, I was a litigation paralegal, specializing in medical malpractice actions for 31 years, prior to having to medically retire due to pancreatic disease. Here's what I do for all doctor referrals, as well as finding any new doctors on my own:

1) If in the U.S., go to Google online search & type in the "state" where your doctor(s) practice(s) medicine, then type in "medical board." Type in the name of the potential doctor(s) names you want to check out to see if he/she is in good standing and/or if he/she has any prior or current disciplinary actions against him/her in your state, as well as prior licensures in other states; If you see multiple other states where he/she has practiced, this is usually a red flag indicating they may have had medical malpractice lawsuits against him/her & then moved.

2) Next, Google the state's county court's website where any potential doctor(s) currently are or have practiced in the past. Under section "Civil Actions/Case Lookup" type in the doctor's name to see if he/she has any past or current pending court actions against him/her. If he/she has more than 1 action whether it be past or presently pending, RUN FOR THE HILLS & obtain a second opinion!!!

Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me personally. Best wishes on finding a good doctor who can help!❤

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Hi @kimber361, The path you laid out above does not at all work. While I can get to the page for the Medical Board of the state Im in you have to pick out of a ton of categories to enter the doctors name. So typing "medical board" then name is a non-existent path. And there are so many options for so many different things I literally could not find a way to get the info I wanted on a particular doctor. I don't know if you will get this let alone be able to help but nothing to lose by trying. Thank you in advance for any reply!

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@stimme

Hello, Becky, My consultant told me he is not permitted to recommend natural treatment by NICE the National Institution of Clinical Excellence! However, he did look at the printouts I gave him from the myelofibrosis group on Cancer Compass where contributors gave details of their figures after following a generally similar natural protocol. These showed a number of improvements in blood counts etc which was not usual in this condition! "Very interesting!" was his comment. I do have a swollen spleen still but am not aware of suffering from this particularly, more from my diagnosis of spinal stenosis. I was also diagnosed with mild prostate cancer in August 2019. I have just found that I should not have been eating eggs every day for breakfast - too much choline, so have stopped that and am reviewing my diet this weekend to cover both conditions!

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Good morning @stimme Just wondering how you’ve been doing . Have you been able to change your diet at all? And, I’ve never heard about the relationship btw eggs and prostate cancer—can you tell me about it?

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Did you receive my last reply today? I cannot see it!

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… if so. Yes I am enjoying a healthier diet already - lovely mixed raw salads in corn wraps. Nut milks. Sourdough bread and developing!

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If not, There are a number of articles online about eggs and prostate and too much choline! Better safe than sorry!

Meanwhile, and this is for everyone reading this, please check out 'The Healing Code' online. I have been reading the book and now understand about stress and disease. It is so logical - when in stress we enter the fight or flight 'mode'. Physically, this means all the blood which would normally be nourishing and protecting the organs and the immune system rushes instead to the muscles! This is so obvious when explained. I previously thought the stress cause of diseases (90% they say) was a kindly emotional offering! Not any more. If we remain too long in a stressful state - and this is not uncommon - we become vulnerable. It is said that under normal circumstances our immune system is (almost?) invulnerable!

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If you remember, the original question here was, how do you evaluate a cancer doctor. As a nurse, I worked with a group of oncologists—all excellent but some personalities got in the way. Most important is education. Do they take the time to attend conferences? Are they board certified? Do they attend tumor board at the hospital? Wonder about the answers- just ask the receptionist in the office. As for personality, oncologists have to deal with such difficult issues everyday, so can be crabby. One doctor was difficult for the nurses, but the patients loved him. After a few run-ins, he and I got along well. I now see one of his colleagues for my treatment for my autoimmune disease. What are YOU looking for in an oncologist?

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@becsbuddy Ultimately, I selected my surgeon, Dr. Truty due to prayer. He also convinced me he was the right oncologist by reading about him online. He is an innovative doctor that pushed the envelope because he wasn’t willing to accept the standard level of care approach. He not only relies on his skills as a surgeon, but also his faith. Thanks to my husband, my caregiver, we were not accepting a standard level of care. I would have been in hospice within a year and died. Dr. Truty’s method and success with his approach also gave me confidence in him. I had little confidence in medical professionals due to my experience over the years, as well as my analytical background. We can be skeptics. Dr. Truty showed that he cared deeply about his patients. My assessment was that he had a defining moment in his life when experiencing a dear loved one die of pancreatic cancer. My conjecture and belief is that this is what caused his commitment to change the world of medicine by considering other therapy approaches to find a solution. He cares and wants to help other people have a better outcome than he saw with his loved one. He was committed to making a difference. That was clear.

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@becsbuddy

If you remember, the original question here was, how do you evaluate a cancer doctor. As a nurse, I worked with a group of oncologists—all excellent but some personalities got in the way. Most important is education. Do they take the time to attend conferences? Are they board certified? Do they attend tumor board at the hospital? Wonder about the answers- just ask the receptionist in the office. As for personality, oncologists have to deal with such difficult issues everyday, so can be crabby. One doctor was difficult for the nurses, but the patients loved him. After a few run-ins, he and I got along well. I now see one of his colleagues for my treatment for my autoimmune disease. What are YOU looking for in an oncologist?

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@becsbuddy I meant to reply to your post and I instead added a separate thread below. Sorry about that

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@kjrita

@becsbuddy Ultimately, I selected my surgeon, Dr. Truty due to prayer. He also convinced me he was the right oncologist by reading about him online. He is an innovative doctor that pushed the envelope because he wasn’t willing to accept the standard level of care approach. He not only relies on his skills as a surgeon, but also his faith. Thanks to my husband, my caregiver, we were not accepting a standard level of care. I would have been in hospice within a year and died. Dr. Truty’s method and success with his approach also gave me confidence in him. I had little confidence in medical professionals due to my experience over the years, as well as my analytical background. We can be skeptics. Dr. Truty showed that he cared deeply about his patients. My assessment was that he had a defining moment in his life when experiencing a dear loved one die of pancreatic cancer. My conjecture and belief is that this is what caused his commitment to change the world of medicine by considering other therapy approaches to find a solution. He cares and wants to help other people have a better outcome than he saw with his loved one. He was committed to making a difference. That was clear.

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He is all that you say. Experienced it myself.

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