Who’s On My Treatment Team

It is very common to have a multidisciplinary team working together with a patient throughout their cancer journey.

Each healthcare professional will have special training to provide specific services and support, and they will all work toward a common goal and treatment plan.

BREAST SURGEON OR SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST

Surgeons with special training in the removal and treatment of breast abnormalities and cancers.

DIETITIAN

Create nutrition plans to promote healthy eating habits.

DOSIMETRIST

An expert in radiation equipment who calculates and verifies the accuracy of the prescribed radiation dose.

GENETIC COUNSELOR

Health professional with special training in genetics and the risks, benefits, and results of genetic testing.

MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST

A physician who is trained to diagnose and treat cancer using therapies like chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. This person may be the main health care provider for a cancer patient.

NURSE NAVIGATOR

A nurse with special training and clinical knowledge who helps guide the patient and address any barriers to care.

NURSE PRACTITIONER

A nurse who has advanced their training with a master’s or doctoral degree.

ONCOLOGY SOCIAL WORKER

Healthcare professionals who are trained to provide emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual support to people with cancer. They provide information for resources and advocate for the patient and their family.

PATHOLOGIST

A physician who specializes in studying cells and tissue in order to identify and diagnose diseases.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

A trained healthcare professional who focuses on the body’s function to restore strength and movement, relieve pain, and prevent injury.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

A healthcare professional who practices medicine with a medical doctor.

PLASTIC SURGEON

A doctor who specializes in reconstructing or repairing parts of the body.

RADIATION ONCOLOGIST

A physician who specializes in the treatment of cancer using radiation. They evaluate, plan, and deliver radiation therapy within a team of radiation therapists, medical physicists, and dosimetrists.

RADIOLOGIST

A physician specially trained in diagnosing injury and illness using diagnostic imaging such as X-ray, MRI, Ultrasound, and CT.