Surgeon recommendations: How did you choose a surgeon?

<p>DCIS of the left breast . 53 years old . Visited breast surgeon already . Going for second opinion next week ... mood swings , can't stop crying and make myself thinking positive... How to choose the best surgeon ? Few names from friends were given to me from Miami university hospital , Mayo Clinic , Baptist health Miami .....<br />I live in West Palm Beach so my concern is traveling everyday for treatment after surgery , like radiation ...<br />I have friends which offered help in Miami or Jacksonville so I could stay there during the process ....<br />I also read about radiation and see that there are proton therapy , IORT, 15 days , 30 days .... according to the surgeon they don't know details about treatment yet since another pathology will be done after lumpectomy ...not every hospital has updated equipment I guess ... since this is left breast and hearth underneath, I am extremely concerned...Also my genetic testing is scheduled for month after surgery and what if I have mutation in genes ? Then another , more serious surgery will be done ? Shouldn't genetic testing be done before lumpectomy ? I am not sure how to choose the right facility and surgeon and what I should concentrate on ... history of anxiety is definitely factor to all of it . I just want to make smart decisions and feel comfortable about my choices .... Thank you all . Prayers for all of you ladies going through this horrible experience! Ugh !</p>

If this is helpful to anyone trying to decide on a BC surgeon - I didn’t know any BC surgeons, and just went to the suggested breast surgeon at the best hospital I could find. And had good outcomes. So if you don’t know anyone, don’t worry too much.

When I was diagnosed I considered whether I wanted to be treated locally, near Austin, or drive to Houston to MD Anderson, 3 1/2 hours away. I asked everyone I knew for a surgeon recommendation at MD Anderson, but although people could recommend cancer doctors there, no one had seen a BC surgeon.
The local hospital had one breast cancer surgeon. The local radiologist thought the anomaly on my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound was probably a lymph node and recommended I return for a follow up mammogram in 6 months. My PCP thought I might want to see a specialist, and it was decided to do a biopsy - that showed an intermediate grade DCIS. The experience I had with the local hospital services pushed me towards going to MD Anderson.

So I went on MD Anderson’s website and “requested” to be a patient. Within days they had started collecting my prior mammogram scans and planning my first visit. They assigned all my doctors to me (oncology surgeon, medical oncologist, radiologist, plastic surgeon). The whole process was efficient and they directed me through each step I needed to take. I think I was on auto-pilot at that point.

I would not have been as comfortable going to an unknown doctor at my local hospital, but I thought that MD Anderson standards were high enough to just go with it. If you’re considering Mayo Clinic, their reputation is great, too.

I drove 3 1/2 hours to my cancer center, MD Anderson, in Houston. I think going to the Mayo Clinic would be worth the drive - it’s what 4 hours? A comprehensive cancer center can offer many benefits. One of which, the Mayo Clinic has a great reputation.
I stayed in a nearby Marriott hotel for appointments that I had to stay overnight, and before/after surgery. For some appointments I requested that they not be scheduled before 11:30 am and no later than 3 pm so I could drive in that morning and home before too late.
Radiation may be a week or it may be multiple weeks. My intermediate grade 1.6 cm DCIS, was a 3 hour outpatient BCS surgery (reduction in both breasts), 1 week radiation, and tamoxifen. I use the MyChart digital healthcare communication a lot, even sending photos of my breasts (after surgery) when I was concerned about red patches and wasn’t sure whether it was worth the drive to have the MD look at it. I’ve done a few video visits, one with the survivorship program, and regular follow ups with the rheumatologist about my osteoporosis.
Radiation can often be completed at a facility closer to your home. Your radiologist may have a some facilities that can provide what you need. I went to one of MD Anderson satellite sites. My sister in law in New Jersey, who drove in to Sloan Kettering Cancer center for care in NY, had her radiation near her home in NJ. West Palm Beach should have a quality radiation center that could carry out the prescribed therapy ordered by the Mayo Clinic.

I can’t tell you how my stress level was lowered once I contacted MD Anderson - they immediately started sharing with me what steps I needed to take to begin my journey. They provided me with options, we discussed the research behind some options (I like research, a comfort zone), and let me make the decisions.

I wish you well. Please let me know if you need more information that I can help with, or want to stay in contact.

If this is helpful to anyone trying to decide on a BC surgeon - I didn’t know any BC surgeons, and just went to the suggested breast surgeon at the best hospital I could find. And had good outcomes. So if you don’t know anyone, don’t worry too much.

When I was diagnosed I considered whether I wanted to be treated locally, near Austin, or drive to Houston to MD Anderson, 3 1/2 hours away. I asked everyone I knew for a surgeon recommendation at MD Anderson, but although people could recommend cancer doctors there, no one had seen a BC surgeon.
The local hospital had one breast cancer surgeon. The local radiologist thought the anomaly on my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound was probably a lymph node and recommended I return for a follow up mammogram in 6 months. My PCP thought I might want to see a specialist, and it was decided to do a biopsy - that showed an intermediate grade DCIS. The experience I had with the local hospital services pushed me towards going to MD Anderson.

So I went on MD Anderson’s website and “requested” to be a patient. Within days they had started collecting my prior mammogram scans and planning my first visit. They assigned all my doctors to me (oncology surgeon, medical oncologist, radiologist, plastic surgeon). The whole process was efficient and they directed me through each step I needed to take. I think I was on auto-pilot at that point.

I would not have been as comfortable going to an unknown doctor at my local hospital, but I thought that MD Anderson standards were high enough to just go with it. If you’re considering Mayo Clinic, their reputation is great, too.

Thank you for your thorough answer. I find it really helpful. I wondered if going locally would be a bit more personal or if going to a big place like Mayo would be like dropping into a machine, but the local medical care where I am feels really backward and inadequate.
Does anyone know how to begin at Mayo? I don’t even know who to call?

Thank you for your thorough answer. I find it really helpful. I wondered if going locally would be a bit more personal or if going to a big place like Mayo would be like dropping into a machine, but the local medical care where I am feels really backward and inadequate.
Does anyone know how to begin at Mayo? I don’t even know who to call?

I just had first consultation with Mayo this morning ( virtual ) and I like it . From the moment I started with them they are pretty quick with communication, starting patient portal, setting up the appointment etc and very professional. Let me look for this link I used to reach out .I know - everything is overwhelming . Many ladies in this group were saying that we have to feel comfortable with choices we make and for me piece of mind is to choose the best doctors and facility which has state of the art equipment . Doing my research MC is all of that .

If this is helpful to anyone trying to decide on a BC surgeon - I didn’t know any BC surgeons, and just went to the suggested breast surgeon at the best hospital I could find. And had good outcomes. So if you don’t know anyone, don’t worry too much.

When I was diagnosed I considered whether I wanted to be treated locally, near Austin, or drive to Houston to MD Anderson, 3 1/2 hours away. I asked everyone I knew for a surgeon recommendation at MD Anderson, but although people could recommend cancer doctors there, no one had seen a BC surgeon.
The local hospital had one breast cancer surgeon. The local radiologist thought the anomaly on my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound was probably a lymph node and recommended I return for a follow up mammogram in 6 months. My PCP thought I might want to see a specialist, and it was decided to do a biopsy - that showed an intermediate grade DCIS. The experience I had with the local hospital services pushed me towards going to MD Anderson.

So I went on MD Anderson’s website and “requested” to be a patient. Within days they had started collecting my prior mammogram scans and planning my first visit. They assigned all my doctors to me (oncology surgeon, medical oncologist, radiologist, plastic surgeon). The whole process was efficient and they directed me through each step I needed to take. I think I was on auto-pilot at that point.

I would not have been as comfortable going to an unknown doctor at my local hospital, but I thought that MD Anderson standards were high enough to just go with it. If you’re considering Mayo Clinic, their reputation is great, too.