For anyone diagnosed with cancer, the first questions that naturally arise is: ‘Where should I begin my treatment? How do I navigate this journey, and will my symptoms improve?’
The word itself is never easy to hear. Even when we experience something as common as a cold or seasonal flu, we often feel uneasy—despite knowing that it will improve. What truly troubles us is the discomfort of feeling unwell. With cancer, this apprehension is further increased since, for many, cancer is a continuous fight.
If you've just received a cancer diagnosis, you may be confused. Cancer therapy typically involves various specialists. But whom should you see first? And what is a medical oncologist's role?
The key usually lies in selecting the appropriate medical oncology hospital in India. Medical oncologists are physicians who use medications to treat cancer—chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy. They're different from surgeons or radiation physicians and deal with systemic treatments affecting the body as a whole.
Often the course of overall treatment is led by the medical oncologist, but he/she will also collaborate with surgeons, radiation therapists, and support staff. Therefore, choosing the proper hospital and physician is such a critical first step.
