They’ve Seen It All

Ideally, you’d like an experienced medical team that’s
seen and done everything. You want to know that
they have a broad range of experience, to be assured
your treatment is not a first for them, that they know
what to expect of your diagnosis, and exactly how to
deal with it. Breast cancer specialists who work with
the condition every day certainly have more experi-
ence than those who deal with only a few cases a year.
Still, there’s more to experience than simply the num-
ber of years they’ve been in practice. You’d like to
know your medical team keeps up with the latest ad-
vances, the hottest news, the best treatments, and the
finest procedures. You’d like to know that their equip-
ment is state of the art and that their knowledge is,
too. Since these are not certifiable details, you may
discover them only by comparing what you’ve read
and learned with what these folks tell you. Judge by
the answers to your questions.
Ideally, you’d like an experienced medical team that’s
seen and done everything. You want to know that
they have a broad range of experience, to be assured
your treatment is not a first for them, that they know
what to expect of your diagnosis, and exactly how to
deal with it. Breast cancer specialists who work with
the condition every day certainly have more experi-
ence than those who deal with only a few cases a year.
Still, there’s more to experience than simply the num-
ber of years they’ve been in practice. You’d like to
know your medical team keeps up with the latest ad-
vances, the hottest news, the best treatments, and the
finest procedures. You’d like to know that their equip-
ment is state of the art and that their knowledge is,
too. Since these are not certifiable details, you may
discover them only by comparing what you’ve read
and learned with what these folks tell you. Judge by
the answers to your questions.
a biopsy to hundreds of patients, this is the first time they’ve explained it to you.
Those are the kind of medical professionals you’re looking for: the professionals who
seem to have had better training in communications or better upbringing with good
manners than their less sensitive counterparts.
You should look for someone who is perfectly
straightforward with you—not cold and imper-
sonal, but honest and frank. You’re into serious
business here, so you can skip the sugar coating.
You need—and have every right—to understand
precisely your condition and your prognosis. Still,
doctors are human, too. They may find it emo-
tionally tough to give you bad news, especially if
you’re having a tearful time dealing with the news.
Then, in spite of their best intentions, they may
hold back a little, trying to regain composure
themselves.
You want someone who will help educate you, to help you understand the techni-
cally complicated medical details they will be discussing with you. You want someone
who will answer your questions—even the same ones over and over—until you fully
understand. But watch out for medical folks who want you to leave it all up to them.
You’re a big part of the decision-making process, and any doctor who glosses over
your role should get a glossy photo of you—as you walk out the door.