Oncologist change help!

Are you still having main treatment that needs an oncologist? I saw my oncologist while I was having chemotherapy and then once after radiotherapy. Since then, I have only had a telephone conversation with the oncologist pharmacist, though all part of the same team.

When I was going through chemo, I saw 2 different oncologists and queried it. They told me that they all work as one Multi-Disciplinary Team and everyone knows about my case. They all discuss each and every case together.

That made me feel better that everyone I spoke to had been speaking to everyone else. My surgeons (I ended up with 2 of them too) and oncologists often mentioned what the others had said in their meeting.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Every single person I saw knew all about me and my case, from the Breast Cancer Nurses, to oncologists and surgeons.

The cancer department is pretty impressive.

I have secondary breast cancer in my liver and bones, chemo ongoing and progression. Kind of feel a little left by the wayside. I completely understand if different people/doctors/nurses need to support but it just feels like I’m an afterthought tbh 

In which case, I do agree that some time with your oncologist would be good. Could you mention it to the BCN?

I don't know anything about your situation, but I sometimes think the less they are worried about you, the less they want to see you.

Sorry if I'm out of line there or way off track, it's meant from  place of encouragement without knowing anything. Hopefully you can talk to your BCN about it all.

Thanks, I’ll speak to her hopefully when she’s back off sick leave. 

I've only met mine once. Starting Cycle 4 today. Only get telephone calls from Oncology Support Nurse. Tbh, she seems more with it, than he was!! I had already been told the treatment plan by Surgeon and BCN before I saw Oncologist. Jo x

Thanks, good to know other peoples experiences as well. x

You are within your rights to ask for a change of consultant (i did that at some point, not with my breast cancer oncologist but in another oncology department,) but if you do choose to go that way make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.

You said he is very good at what he does medically. To me, this is the most important thing in an oncologist. He doesn't need to know you as a person in order to be fully informed regarding your medical landscape, so it is entirely possible he knows exactly what is going on with your treatment even if he has no idea what kind of person you are.

I do, however, believe in continuity of care, so I am not too pleased that you do not have one designated nurse and that you had to see 4 different ones. It is more of the nurse's role to offer emotional support than the oncologist, so I would point out to the nurses that seeing different people from their team all the time is not good.

Another angle to all of this is that although the doctor can do his job without being particularly supportive, they should not make you feel neglected either. If you feel that his attitude is really affecting you badly, or that your care might suffer due to the perceived indifference from him, then yes, do ask to see someone else, but I would make sure that the new consultant would not be having the same attitude. You don't want to end up with someone else how may have the same approach but possibly not be as good medically as the one you are with now.

Thanks so much, I think you’re right I think I’ve just had a bad luck run so far with being seen by lots of people. I’m going to give it some time and see.
Really appreciate your response. Thanks again. 

No problem. For a lot of people breast cancer is a sprint, but when there are secondaries, it's a long haul marathon, so it's really important that a patient feels comfortable with the medical team. 

Depending on where you are, there may be additional options. Maggie's for instance, they are absolutely fantastic in my own experience, in all aspects. They are always there to listen, and I have had actual practical help from them. They have centres in some hospitals and you can go in and see them no matter where you are treated. They are also there for friends and family of patients.

Let us know how it goes. As it happens, I have had a long experience with all of this, during which I experienced both the very best and very worst the NHS has to offer. The difference in impact was huge, and especially at times when I was really vulnerable.

I spoke mainly to the oncology nurses who were excellent and very responsive and the oncology pharmacist who did all the prescribing. He too was very good. They run the oncology unit.

I've finished chemo now butI've only spoken to the oncology consultant once only and then only on the phone when she rang to tell I had to start anastrozole.  She didnt want to talk about anything else and when I asked her about the potential efficacy of the chemo as I have lobular she said if it didn't come back in the first two years I had more chance . I wasn't impressed.  I had seen her assistant once and spoken on the phone to her twice but she seemed a bit dippy or probably couldn't be bothered. 

If you have to have long term treatment it's worth asking for someone else. You need to feel supported.  Agree speak to your BCN about it . Good luck

Xx