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Lung cancer is a complex type of cancer that affects everyone
differently. That’s why all lung cancer patients should follow unique treatment
plans tailored to their specific needs. But your primary care doctor will not
have all the information you need to treat your lung cancer successfully, and a
general oncologist may not have enough experience treating your specific type
of cancer. That’s where specialists come in: a lung cancer specialist, also
known as a thoracic oncologist, has the right skills and insight to help you
stay in control of your lung cancer. Here’s why:
1. A lung cancer specialist completes
extensive training in lung cancer and is an expert in lung cancer treatment.
A lung cancer specialist is a physician who specializes in treating
cancers that affect the lungs. Lung cancer specialists need a deep
understanding of the nuances of this type of cancer, so they must train
extensively to master this area of study. A lung cancer specialist will have
expertise in treating cancer in general, with a focus on lung cancer.
All doctors complete a training program called a residency after they
finish medical school. But lung cancer specialists receive considerable
training beyond that. They spend several additional years in an oncology
fellowship, during which they will specialize in thoracic oncology, training under
experienced lung cancer specialists and focusing on patients with lung cancer. At
the end of this period, specialists are qualified to take an exam to become a
board-certified medical oncologist. Look for a doctor who is board certified in
medical oncology with a focus on thoracic oncology, and you’ll know you’re
seeing an expert.
2. A lung cancer specialist never stops
learning about lung cancer.
To maintain their board certifications, lung cancer specialists must
keep up with new developments in their field. They must complete continuing
education and renew their licenses every few years, depending on the state in
which they practice and other factors. By following these requirements,
board-certified lung cancer specialists stay on top of new treatments and
discoveries about the mechanisms involved in lung cancer, so they can then
provide their patients with insightful, informed, and up-to-date treatment
plans. This is especially important for lung cancer patients, because new
treatment options, like immunotherapies, have emerged in recent years that treat the cancer more
effectively and efficiently.
3. A lung cancer specialist has extensive
experience in treating lung cancer.
Lung cancer specialists see a higher volume and concentration of
patients with lung cancer, and thus are more experienced in treating the
condition successfully. Because they see lots of patients with lung cancer,
they can add real-world knowledge of the disease to their academic and clinical
training. They’re able to assess how well patients respond to certain
treatments, have a deeper understanding of how lung cancer progresses over
time, share insight about effectively implementing lifestyle changes, and
recognize symptoms that a general practitioner may miss, among other skills.
4. A lung cancer specialist is a team player.
Lung cancer specialists work with teams of other health care providers
who treat patients with lung cancer and can connect patients with radiation
oncologists, surgical oncologists, oncology nurses, oncology social workers,
pain management specialists, and other experts in lung cancer management.
Working with a team can help patients address all aspects of the disease and
ensure success.
5. It’s easy to find the right lung
cancer specialist for you.
There are thousands of lung cancer specialists in the United States, so
how do you know which is the right doctor for you? By searching on Healthgrades.com,
you can identify the best lung cancer specialist to help you manage your lung
cancer successfully.
