I have a basic and may be silly doubt. My cancer journey so far has followed following path: GP ----> Breast Surgeon / Specialist ----> Oncologist ----> Breast Surgeon / Radiation Therapist (depending upon the decision on next step) My question is who will be our Go To Person for the next few years whom we will consult on a regular basis to make sure that the cancer has not returned back? Is it going to be Oncologist or Breast Surgeon? Do we have a choice?

I'm seeing both my oncologist and breast surgeon 6 monthly...so someone every 3 months. I'm 2 years this month since the removal of my cancer.

It seems to vary. My breast surgeon is my go to person. I haven’t seen my oncologist since my final day of chemo. My GP is becoming increasingly important for treating the side effects of chemo. I also now have a cardiologist, dietitian, exercise physiologist, physio/ pilates instructor and gynaecologist. There are a lot of health professionals in my life since having cancer. I know other people keep seeing their oncologist. I should say I’ve had ongoing surgery for the past 3 years so this might be why I see my surgeon. I only have a mammogram once a year as a check up with my breast surgeon. This will be the case from now on.

I saw my oncologist and surgeon alternately, at widening intervals. I was a private patient though. Like LucyE I collected a fair few others on the way, including a lymphoedema therapist a gynaecological specialist and a cardiologist! I do have a choice - I'd go to my oncologist for anything about my hormonal treatment, or any odd symptom (haven't really had any) and to my surgeon about anything breast related or that may require physically checking - I had a little tag on my back that got a bit red and inflamed. Just a benign neurofibroma that probably got rubbed by my bra strap! But my surgeon took it off and biopsied it, just in case. I see them now only once a year, fingers crossed.

2 years this month since I completed active treatment. I see my surgeon, medical oncologist & radiation oncologist once a year each for official review, but know I can go and see my surgeon or medical oncologist between times if needed, which I have done with both. I also see plenty of my fabulous GP

Hi @"deepti.sinha", I’m sure they could all refer you for further tests and to other specialists. I had a CT bone and abdominal scan yesterday and my GP referred me after having hip pain. I just saw my surgeon last Monday and she could have referred me too. All the best. x

Consulting Doctor on completion of Initial treatment

12 Replies

Scared_Mum
Member
8 years ago
Nat see's her Oncol every 3 months as she is still on Zoladex and Breast Surgeon every 6 months, we have had a couple of scares (me just stressing lol) so we saw the gp and she ordered scans and we always have both specialists added to the list so they get the results to
Sue xx
Mollygirl
Member
8 years ago
Hi @"deepti.sinha", I'm seeing my onc every 3 months for the first two years I think and surgeon will probably go to six monthly. Both write letters to my GP who I see for the simpler stuff. Xx
kezmusc
Member
8 years ago
I am seeing both surgeon and onc every 6mths. However, they have organised the time frame so that I am seeing one of the two every three months. Radiation oncologist still every three months at the moment as she seems the most concerned about the side effects I am getting from Tamoxifen. They all see each other at the mdt meetings so assure me that as long as I see any one of them regularly it doesn't matter who it is. Plus my breast care nurse is always available dnd my gp has been referring for follow up scans for bone/hip pain, brain fog etc.
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
When I discovered a lump under my right arm (eeeek!) I coincidentally had an appointment with my cardiologist the next day. He "spoke nicely" to the ultrasound team, who scanned it 20 minutes
later, rang my surgeon, and biopsied it! Turned out to be nothing to worry about, but a useful counter to the stories of people left waiting or dangling while the professionals go through the process!
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago
I have regular visits with both Oncs, Breast surgeon and my GP. All reports are sent to my GP so he is my go to, in between allocated visits to specialists. I have ongoing referrals to the Specialists mentioned. If I have a problem with the breast my breast care nurse is my go to and she discusses with Surgeon before the next move is made.

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/organisations/health-professionals/enablers/education-guide-indefinite-referrals-what-you-need-know
copy and past from the link above

A GP may write an indefinite referral for a chronically ill patient who is in the continuing care and management of a specialist or consultant physician for a specific condition, for example, glaucoma.
primek
Member
8 years ago
Yes. Just depends on what pops up.
Anonymous
Not applicable
8 years ago
Hi @"deepti.sinha", I’m sure they could all refer you for further tests and to other specialists. I had a CT bone and abdominal scan yesterday and my GP referred me after having hip pain. I just saw my surgeon last Monday and she could have referred me too. All the best. x
desinha
Member
8 years ago
@LucyE , @Afraser , @primek , @irb_03, Thanks for your inputs. So any of them (GP, Oncologist, Breast Surgeon) can refer for Diagnostic tests (Scans - Ultrasound, Mammogram, MRI, PET) and advise any follow up treatment in case needed?
lrb_03
Member
8 years ago
2 years this month since I completed active treatment. I see my surgeon, medical oncologist & radiation oncologist once a year each for official review, but know I can go and see my surgeon or medical oncologist between times if needed, which I have done with both. I also see plenty of my fabulous GP
primek
Member
8 years ago
I'm seeing both my oncologist and breast surgeon 6 monthly...so someone every 3 months. I'm 2 years this month since the removal of my cancer.