How to choose the right breast cancer doctors for you

Finding the right doctors can be a daunting task once you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer. Here are some valuable tips to keep in mind as you move forward in the process:

• First, call your family doctor or gynecologist. They know you and your health history and will be able to refer you to doctors who specialize in breast cancer treatment.

• Try to find a doctor you feel comfortable with. There’s nothing wrong with meeting with several doctors until you to find one you can really relate to.

• Verify your doctor's credentials. If you have any questions about their credentials, visit the websites for the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Society of Clinical Oncology.

• Recommendations from other doctors -- your doctor's peers -- are very important.

• Don't rule out a young doctor because of age and degree of experience; a doctor straight out of training can be wonderful as long as he or she is credentialed. A young doctor may have more time to spend with you and may have gone through valuable mentoring with very experienced physicians.

• Many women want to rush into treatment and surgery when they learn they have breast cancer. However, a recently diagnosed woman usually has a few weeks before any action needs to be taken. You may need a breast surgeon, a plastic surgeon and an oncologist; make sure your team of doctors collaborates on your treatment.

• Medically, second opinions aren’t always necessary. However, hearing about your treatment options a second time can help make the decision-making process easier.

• Bring another person with you to your appointments. You'll likely have to absorb a lot of vital information at once and an extra set of ears can make sure that you walk away with clarity on the doctor's recommendations.

• Write down questions beforehand and take notes during the appointment. You should leave the doctor’s office with a clear understanding of your options. If you do have questions, don’t be afraid to ask the doctor to repeat what he/she has said.

• There's no denying it, “cancer” is a terrifying word. Many people fear that a breast cancer diagnosis equals death. However, cancer death rates have dramatically decreased in the last twenty years. And, there are millions of breast cancer survivors who are doing very well today.