Glossary of Terms

Conventional Medical Care

Holistic Care

Environmental Issues

Early Detection/Screening

Rachel's Corner

Reading List

Links

For your information

As the choreographer of your medical care, you will be responsible for knowing your medical team and making sure they communicate with each other. Be certain that the physician who will coordinate all services is clearly identified as the primary physician. (See below.) Requesting patient case conferences with your medical team can assist you and your caregivers to better understand your health status and to clarify treatment procedures.

This section introduces you to the wide range of specialists that may be involved in your care, and can help you document all of the calls with these specialists, including dates, times, names and titles, places of meeting and phone numbers.

Medical specialists

Primary physician. This may be your family physician, internist, gynecologist, oncologist or surgeon.

Medical oncologist, hematologist/oncologist. A board-certified physician specializing in treating cancer with chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

Surgeon. A physician specially trained in surgical treatment of cancer.

Radiation oncologist. A specialist in treating cancer with x-rays or other sources of radiation.

Clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner. A nurse trained in oncology, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and psychosocial aspects of cancer.

Home health nurse. Nurse providing or supervising medical services in the home.

Counselor. Professional who offers pyscho-emotional services related to cancer; for example, psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker or clergy member.

Nutritionist or dietitian. Your physician may provide a referral for you to meet with a professional to help with special dietary needs.

Physical or speech therapist. Therapist who designs exercise and rehabilitation programs.

Spiritual advisor. Hospital chaplain, personal rabbi, minister or spiritual director.

Social worker. Support person on emotional and/or financial concerns or hospice services.

Genetics counselor. Professional trained to work in genetics to see if there is a genetic link to cancer.

Integrative Specialist. A specialist who blends the best of conventional medicine with alternative healing therapies, emphasizing caring for the whole person and focusing on healing as much as curing.

You can find out if your medical specialist is board certified by contacting the American Board of Medical Specialists, 800-776-2378.