Referral
To a Gynecologic Oncologist
Many women are not really aware
with what a gynecologic oncologist is unless they or
their family members have been referred to a gynecologic oncologist
because it is suspected that they could have gynecologic cancers
such as an undetermined ovarian mass that looks suspicious.
A gynecologic oncologist is an obstetrician/gynecologist who
specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the
female reproductive system, including cervical, ovarian, uterine,
vaginal and vulvar cancers. To become a gynecologic oncologist,
a physician must complete four years of medical school followed
by a four-year residency program in obstetrics and gynecology,
and an additional three- to four-year clinical fellowship in
gynecologic oncology. This specialized training includes mastering
highly technical surgical procedures, administering chemotherapy,
and learning the techniques of radiation therapy.
Women with gynecologic cancers
have much better outcomes with a gynecologic oncologist so it
is important for them to be treated by a gynecologic oncologist.
Gynecologic cancers are complex and treatment often involves
multiple modalities such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
A gynecologic oncologist is specially trained to diagnose and
treat these types of cancers, as well as premalignant conditions
that lead to gynecologic cancer. They see women with gynecologic
cancers every day, and have developed the skills and judgment
required to perform procedures on the reproductive system.
Many women care about their modesty
and prefer female gynecologists. Many female gynecologists will
refer their patients to a male gynecologic oncologist and it
may take modest female patients off guard because they are so
worried about having cancer. Women with possible cancers especially
ovarian cancer are often vulnerable because they are so worried
they could have cancer and they put modesty aside for at least
a while until they really think about it. Women should
not sacrifice their modesty even for cancer or possible cancer.
Some major cities in the United
States do not have a female gynecologic oncologist. Most small
towns do not have a gynecologic oncologist so women often have
to drive to the closest big city to see a gynecologic oncologist.
One of the largest cities in America only has two female gynecologic
oncologists and many male gynecologic oncologists as of October
2018. This poses a serious problem for modest women who want
an appointment with a gynecologic oncologist as soon as possible.
It’s often easier and quicker to schedule an appointment
with a male gynecologic oncologist if there are two or three
male gynecologic oncologists and only one female gynecologic
oncologist at an oncology clinic. Sometimes, a female gynecologic
oncologist could have a waiting list.
If your gynecologist refers you
to a male gynecologic oncologist, firmly tell her no and that
you will not accept a male gynecologic oncologist. She may make
some arguments about you using a male gynecologic oncologist
because: 1) He is the best in the area. 2)
He has a lot of experience and has a lot of great reviews
from patients she referred to him. Those arguments do not change
the fact that he is male. You must be willing to travel farther
to see a female gynecologic oncologist who can take you as a
patient, perhaps spending the night away from home. There are
many wonderful female gynecologic oncologists out there.
We encourage all women
who have to see a gynecologic oncologist to take the following
steps:
1) Always make
sure that you will have a female doctor or mid-level provider
before you change into your gown even if your appointment was
made with a female provider. A male doctor could fill in for
a female doctor at last minute without your knowledge.
2) Some female doctors allow male medical
students to observe procedures so you need to have it in writing
that you do not give consent to medical students being part
of your appointments.
3) If it is recommended that you have a hysterectomy
or a gynecological surgery, you should do research to make sure
it is absolutely necessary. Also, you may want to consider getting
a second opinion from another female gynecologic oncologist
about your condition before you move forward with surgery. The
second opinion must be from a gynecological oncologist in a
different practice.
4) If you require surgery, take time to read
the article, Concerns About
Modesty During Hysterectomy to find out what steps you will
need to make sure your wishes for modesty during surgery are
honored. You discuss your concerns about modesty with your gynecologic
oncologist and share this wonderful
testimonial of a female gynecologist in Minnesota who accommodated
a patient’s wishes for modesty for a hysterectomy.
Sources:
What
is a gynecologic oncologist?
Concerns
About Modesty During Hysterectomy
Recommended Articles
to Read:
Breast
Cancer Prevention in a Pill
DIM
For Cancer Treatment And Prevention
Ovarian
cancer fears prompt unnecessary surgeries, study finds
Ovarian
cyst or ovarian cancer? An oncologist helps to demystify
Knowledge
is key when it comes to ovarian cancer
Is
a 'quick diagnosis' test on an ovarian mass during surgery accurate?
Ovarian
Low Malignant Potential Tumors Treatment
|
