One of the first questions you will ask after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is, “Who should I go to for treatment?” Choosing a knowledgeable and skilled cancer care team you can talk to easily is one of the most important things you’ll do in your cancer treatment journey.
Rocky Mountain Breast Specialists (RMBS) is a multidisciplinary breast cancer treatment center. This means we have medical oncologists and breast cancer surgeons who work closely together as well as other physicians and staff who treat and support our breast cancer patients.
Free Guide for Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients
Get helpful tips on what to expect and how to prepare your mind and body for breast cancer treatment.
Who Makes Up Your Breast Cancer Team?
Which Doctor Should You See First After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis?
Ideally, you will consult with a breast cancer medical oncologist and a breast cancer surgeon at about the same time.
Breast Cancer Medical Oncologist
A breast cancer medical oncologist specializes in all aspects of treating breast cancer and often acts as the overseer of all the various types of treatments given to a patient. They collaborate closely with the surgeons as well as other physicians who are a part of each patient’s care.
Breast Cancer Surgeon
A breast cancer surgeon specializes in removing breast cancer through various procedures. A surgeon who specializes in breast cancer is trained in the best ways to make the outcome as cosmetically pleasing as possible, and regularly works with a plastic surgeon who can rebuild the breasts if desired.
Who Else is on the Breast Cancer Care Team?
There are a host of other RMBS team members, in addition to the medical oncologist and breast cancer surgeon, who help patients throughout their treatment process, addressing their physical, mental, and emotional health. Because every treatment plan varies depending on the specifics of the diagnosis, your course of treatment will be uniquely yours. This means you may not interact with all of the team members.
Other Physicians Who Are Part of the Breast Cancer Treatment Team
The following physicians work closely with the RMBS medical oncologist leading the breast cancer treatment process.
Radiation Oncologists
These are doctors who specialize in treating cancer with radiation therapy. They will review the patient’s needs to determine if and when radiation therapy is most appropriate. The radiation oncologist will also recommend the type of radiation therapy to be used. If external beam radiation is recommended, they will set up a “simulation” session using CT scans and a simulator to determine the correct angle of the radiation beams and the dosage.
Plastic Surgeon
This surgeon helps reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy. Not everyone chooses to have reconstructive surgery. If you do, try to meet with the plastic surgeon before your breast cancer removal surgery to discuss types of reconstruction and the timing. The breast cancer surgeons at RMBS can recommend plastic surgeons who are experienced in breast reconstruction after cancer surgery.
