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cancer support team

Resource Guide: The Advantages Of Partnering With Your Cancer Care Team

Tips for Communicating With Your Healthcare Team

  • Talk about your healthcare goals, concerns, or any questions you may have with your doctor. 
  • Don’t be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right or if you have a new symptom or concern. 
  • Before an appointment, write down any questions you have, so you don’t forget them and take notes during the visit. 
  • Ensure you have access to your patient portal and know how to use it. 
  • If necessary, ask for a translator and for materials in a language you are most comfortable with. 
  • Talk about your healthcare goals, concerns, or any questions you may have with your doctor. 
  • Don’t be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right or if you have a new symptom or concern. 
  • Before an appointment, write down any questions you have, so you don’t forget them and take notes during the visit. 
  • Ensure you have access to your patient portal and know how to use it. 
  • If necessary, ask for a translator and for materials in a language you are most comfortable with.

Who May Be on Your Cancer Care Team? 

Each of these team members plays a vital role. And you should utilize your WHOLE team – it really will make a difference in your overall health and wellness. 

  • Medical oncologists treat cancer patients with medicine. 
  • Radiation oncologists treat cancer patients with radiation. 
  • Surgical oncologists are surgeons who specialize in cancer. 
  • Primary care doctors manage a person’s general health. 
  • Nurses, including oncology nurses and nurse practitioners, provide and coordinate patient care. 
  • Physician assistants are licensed clinicians who practice medicine and provide direct patient care. 
  • Patient and nurse navigators help people coordinate the details of their care. 
  • Palliative care doctors and nurses help prevent and treat cancer symptoms and side effects. 
  • Patient navigators, nurse navigators, and social workers assist with finding support services, such as counseling and financial resources. 
  • Mental health professionals help people with emotional issues and concerns. 
  • Care partners, also called caregivers, are family members or friends who support a person’s care and may join them at appointments and talk through decisions. 
  • Patients are the most important member of the team, and decisions should revolve around a patient’s healthcare goals. 

If you don’t have access or don’t know how to use to your patient portal, reach out to your doctor’s office for help – they usually have instructions to easily guide you through the setup process. 

To view more Resource Guides and Videos, please visit EmpoweredHealth.org

The program was created through a collaboration between Patient Empowerment Network and Empowered Health, a partnership between the CDC Foundation and Amgen Oncology, with technical support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ©2022