Ovarian Cancer (cont.)
Treatment
Many women with ovarian cancer want to take an active part in making
decisions about their medical care. It is natural to want to learn all you can
about your disease and treatment choices. Knowing more about ovarian cancer
helps many women cope.
Shock and stress after the diagnosis can make it hard to think of everything
you want to ask your doctor. It often helps to make a list of questions before
an appointment. To help remember what your doctor says, you may take notes or
ask whether you may use a tape recorder. You may also want to have a family
member or friend with you when you talk to your doctor-to take part in the
discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.
You do not need to ask all your questions at once. You will have other
chances to ask your doctor or nurse to explain things that are not clear and to
ask for more details.
Your doctor may refer you to a gynecologic oncologist, a surgeon who
specializes in treating ovarian cancer. Or you may ask for a referral. Other
types of doctors who help treat women with ovarian cancer include gynecologists,
medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. You may have a team of doctors
and nurses.
Getting a second opinion
Before starting treatment, you might want a second opinion about your
diagnosis and treatment plan. Many insurance companies cover a second opinion if
you or your doctor requests it.
It may take some time and effort to gather medical records and arrange to see
another doctor. In most cases, a brief delay in starting treatment will not make
treatment less effective. To make sure, you should discuss this delay with your
doctor. Sometimes women with ovarian cancer need treatment right away.
There are a number of ways to find a doctor for a second opinion:
- Your doctor may refer you to one or more specialists. At cancer centers,
several specialists often work together as a team.
- NCI's Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER, can tell you about
nearby treatment centers. Information Specialists also can assist you online
through LiveHelp at http://www.cancer.gov/help.
- A local or state medical society, a nearby hospital, or a medical school can
usually provide the names of specialists.
- The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has a list of doctors who
have had training and passed exams in their specialty. You can find this list in
the Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists. The
Directory is in most public libraries. Also, ABMS offers this information at
http://www.abms.org. (Click on "Who's Certified.")
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