Radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, and medical oncologists… oh my

How to prepare for a consultation for your breast cancer with a radiation oncologist

Life following a breast cancer diagnosis of any kind can quickly become a whirlwind of doctors appointments and consults in what feels like a million different specialties. Since we know that informed patients are often the most satisfied patients, we’ve asked board-certified radiation oncologist, Dr. Leonard Farber, for a list of the most important questions to ask your physician during your first radiation consultation radiology appointment to be as prepared as possible for treatment.

Treatment Decision

How will you determine a treatment recommendation that is unique and personalized for me?
What is your personal experience treating patients with DCIS?

About the Treatment

How do we determine how long my course must be in order to be beneficial?
Does everyone get the same dose and what do you base it on?
If my tumor is on my left side, how do we protect my other organs, such as the heart?
Can I only have radiation one time to the same breast?

Potential Treatment Concerns

Will my radiation treatment affect my surgical outcome at all?
How will my skin react to treatment? Are there any products available that might make it more comfortable?
Do I need to be concerned about sun exposure?
Will it affect my fertility and/or ability to breastfeed at all?
Can I do radiation therapy with breast implants?
Can I have mammograms after my radiation therapy?

Preparing for Treatment

Is there anything I can do to best prepare my body for radiation?
Should I wear or avoid specific clothing for treatment?
Can I continue to wear my usual deodorant or antiperspirant during treatment or should I avoid them altogether?

About the Radiation Center

How new is the equipment at the radiation site?
Will I need a driver to take me to and from appointments, or will it be safe to transport myself?
Are there any clinical trials (such as IORT) that you recommend?
What sort of follow-up will I have after my treatment is completed?

We hope this list will help you feel more prepared going into your consultations. For more information on radiation for DCIS and how DCISionRT can help you and your physician choose the best treatment path, visit https://preludedx.com/patients/.

Leonard Farber2022-07-24T14:51:19-05:00September 28th, 2021|

About the Author: Leonard A. Farber

Leonard A. Farber, MD is a board-certified Radiation Oncologist and healthcare executive acknowledged for his ability to recognize innovative technologies, position them for success in clinical practice, and enhance organizational relationships along the way. In 2010 he founded The Farber Center for Radiation Oncology and sold the center to NY-Presbyterian Hospital in 2014, rebranding it as the Lower Manhattan Cancer Center. He is the Chief Medical Officer and Executive VP of Clinical Research at EHMET health and Senior Clinical Advisor at PreludeDx.

About the Author: Cat Hendrick

Cat Hendrick is a journalist, writer, speaker and recent graduate of the University of Georgia. Her work encompasses everything from Olympic curling to TEDx Talks. The proud daughter of a breast cancer survivor, she has been with PreludeDx since November 2020. You can find her on LinkedIn, Twitter @catchendrick or via email at chendrick@preludedx.com.