Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can affect every part of your life: your health, your relationship and even your finance. Fortunately, you are not on this trip alone. An entire team of healthcare professionals is available at every step to help navigate several challenges to live with the disease. These experts can all work under the same roof, such as a hospital or medical center, or spreading at various places.
There are some professionals here that may play a role in your metastatic NSCLC care team.
1. Medical oncologist
An oncologist who specializes in lung cancer diagnosis and medical treatment is known as a thoracic oncologist or simply a medical oncologist. Your thoracic oncologist will take reins for most of your aspects Lung cancer treatment And management, answering your questions and discussing the risks and benefits of your treatment plan.
2. Thoracic surgeon
These types of surgeons operate on chest areas, including heart, lungs, esophagus, and trachea. Surgery can be an option, depending on the location and size of your tumor and how well your lungs are.
If the NSCLC team describes you a good candidate for surgery, a thoracic surgeon can use video-assured thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) to collect samples for diagnosis and remove all lungs or a lung part by removing all or a lung parts.
3. Radiation oncologist
This doctor specializes in the use of medical radiation to treat cancer. “Although radiation is usually not used for the treatment of metastatic non-mall cell lung cancer, you can see a radiation oncologist to help reduce the symptoms of your cancer, such as pain related to bone metastas,” Wurtington, Ohio tells a social worker in private practice. It is known as a subcutaneous radiation.
4. Pulmonologist
Pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in treating lung conditions and diseases. People with NSCLC can work with an interventional pulmonologist – a physician with special training for diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. If you experience any issue related to your cancer or which arise during treatment, you can also be sent to a pulmonologist. Breathing problems Or fluid buildup around the lungs.
These experts work closely with your oncologist and each other, with physical examination and some processes, ordering tests, ordering and analyzing the results and distributing many services to help manage cancer treatment and its side effects. These team members are very knowledgeable about the details and nuances of navigating cancer area.
Oncology nurse coordinators are usually the first point of contact if you have symptoms or concerns during treatment. They can play an important role in helping you during transition points in your treatment, such as going to outpatient care from in -post. “Before the treatment starts, they can sit with you and your family and educate you about side effects,” says Douglas.
6. Pharmacist
Pharmacists are easily accessible sources of information and are found in a wide range of settings, from hospitals to grocery store pharmacies. They can help you understand the instructions of your cancer drugs and give advice about how or when they want to take them. Your pharmacist may also be able to give you guidance on symptomatic management and can encourage you to see your doctor if you have worrying symptoms.
7. Dietary
Cancer hospitals and clinics often have a full -time dietist on employees who are adept at nutritional issues that can occur during cancer and its treatment. Douglas says, “What to avoid foods during chemotherapy during chemotherapy, can help using nutrition to combat any significant weight loss during treatment, and to achieve a sense of well -being.”
8. Psychologist
These mental health professionals can support you through any emotional or psychological issues such as anxiety or depression, which come or later during the treatment of lung cancer. Quickly involving mental health professionals in treatment reduces depression, anxiety and even premature death rate. Psychologists provide one-per-one or group consulting session. Psychiatrists can provide medical sessions as well as prescribe drugs, and they have expertise how drugs interact with the treatment of lung cancer.
9. Physicist
These providers are experts in helping patients to face any decline in their ability to work at home or in workplace. Douglas says, “They can help in combating weakness and fatigue with your illness and treatment and teach you techniques that will help you work on your job and at home too, such as your family is a food for your family or walking a dog,” Douglas is called “Douglas. You can see these team members in the hospital, or they can come to your home.
10. Effects Care Team
“Almost all our metastatic NSCLC patients are referred to for us Subscription medical teamWhich involves a nurser as well as a nurse, as well as a nurse, which specializes in cancerous pain and symptomatic management, ”Douglas says. These providers work closely with other oncology team members to prevent and reduce symptoms like pain, nausea, fatigue,. insomniaAnd any other side effects of your cancer and NSCLC treatment.
11. Oncology social worker
An oncology social worker has special training in assisting patients and their family members with practical and emotional issues related to cancer. They can provide supportive counseling for you and your family, help you navigate the healthcare system, assist with insurance and financial issues, and you can associate you with resources in the community. Your social worker can be a powerful ally in your cancer journey.
12. Financial consultant or sailor
These professional hospital bills and insurance coverage can answer questions and help you receive pre-authorities for services and medicines. They can also help you find financial assistance through national, non -profit and community programs as well as Medicade.
13. Chaplin
Many cancer clinics and hospitals have a pastor or other pastor members on employees to meet with patients and their families. They can help people of all religions who are experiencing spiritual crisis as a result of a disease.
