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Who is on my Care Team?

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Your care team will be made up of multiple medical professionals and other persons who bring their own unique perspective to your overall wellness during this time.

They may be doctors, nurses, specialists, or other medical personnel but none of them are as important to your treatment process as You. You are the Captain of your care team. 

The people who make up your care team should work closely together to make sure you understand exactly what to expect during treatment.

This chart will help you to become familiar with the role each of them will play in helping you to know what choices you can make and how you are responding to treatment.

You should always feel comfortable with your providers or know that you have the right to make changes to your team at any time. What matters most is that your treatment experience be as stress-less as possible.

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A note about the sources we use for education materials:

We believe in providing you with information that you can trust. That means we take everything into consideration: strong medical evidence and wisdom and knowledge from the community. We also lean on health care providers focused on Black women’s health to contribute.

We don’t have all the answers. We also want to hear from YOU. Submit information that we might have missed or questions that you would like us to address.

Provider Type

What does this mean?

What do they do?

Gynecologic oncologist

 

A doctor who has gone through specialty training in operating on cancers affecting the uterus, cervix, ovaries, vulva, and vagina. Gynecology refers to medical care related to these same reproductive parts. Oncologist refers to a medical care provider who specializes in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

A gynecologic oncologist can manage your care from diagnosis to the end of treatment. 

 

Medical oncologist

A doctor who is an expert in treating cancer using different medical approaches – including chemotherapy and pharmaceutical drugs.

This doctor can work with you to plan and carry out chemotherapy treatment (if this is part of your treatment plan).

Radiation oncologist

 

A doctor who is an expert in using radiation to treat cancer.

This doctor can work with you to plan and carry out treatment with radiation (if this is part of your treatment plan).

Oncology Nurse 

 

This is a nurse who specializes in cancer care.

An oncology nurse may work with you throughout diagnosis and treatment. They can especially help you with any medical information you don't understand, and provide emotional support.

Social Worker

This care provider has training in counseling and practical support, such as addressing your transportation needs, dealing with insurance, finding support programs, setting up home care, and more.

A social worker can help you emotionally process your diagnosis and treatment, they can be advocates for you with the rest of your care team, and they can help you find the emotional and practical support you need at the clinic or hospital and at home.

Patient navigator

 

A care provider who educates patients about diseases and advocates for the patient and caregivers throughout treatment.

A patient navigator can help you understand what is happening, can help you figure out how best to talk with your providers (they can even talk to your providers for you if you want), and they can make sure you and your support people are getting what you need throughout treatment.

Nutritionist or registered dietitian 

Care provider who has training in how eating affects your body, and how food can help you be as healthy as possible.

Help you maintain healthy eating habits in order to support recovery and avoid or better cope with side effects of treatment.