Cancer is a complex disease. Cancer requires a team of experts to provide care, rather than a single doctor. Team members all work together to ensure you get the best possible care.
Which team members you see will depend on:
- the type of cancer you have
- your treatment plan
- the type of visit (for example, a visit to have blood drawn)
Team members that most patients will meet
Oncologists (Cancer Doctors)
Oncologists are doctors trained in treating people with cancer. There are three main types of oncologists:
- Medical oncologists treat cancer with medicines, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy
- Radiation oncologists treat cancer with radiation therapy
- Surgical oncologists treat cancer using surgery
You may see one type of oncologist, or you may see more than one depending on your cancer and your treatment plan.
Most Responsible Physician (MRP)
You may hear the term "most responsible physician " (MRP) used to describe the doctor in charge or your care. People often think the MRP is the first oncologist you meet. You MRP may or may not be the first oncologist you meet. The MRP can also change as you go through treatment.
The MRP is the oncologist who oversees your current cancer treatment. For example, if you are having chemotherapy, the medical oncologist in charge of your chemotherapy treatment would be your MRP. If you have radiation therapy after your chemotherapy finishes, the radiation oncologist becomes your MRP. If you are an inpatient (staying in hospital during your treatment), your MRP would be the doctor on the unit in charge of your care. If you do not know who your MRP is, ask a member of your cancer care team.
Medical Fellows
You may be seen by fellows at many of your appointments. Fellows are fully trained medical doctors. Fellows come to Princess Margaret to learn more and do research. For example, a fellow may already be a hematologist (a specialist in blood diseases), but is now training with an expert in stem cell transplants. Fellows are not students.
Sometimes you may see a fellow more than your oncologist, but your oncologist still oversees every aspect of your care. The fellow and your oncologist meet to discuss your care before every appointment. Your oncologist knows all the details of your care. Fellows are crucial in helping to provide care for the many patients who come to the hospital.
Oncology Nurses
Oncology nurses are nurses trained to provide care to cancer patients. Oncologist nurses may:
- Give chemotherapy or other medicines
- Help manage cancer-related symptoms
- Provide education
- Provide virtual or telephone care
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are nurses with advanced skills, knowledge and education. NPs meet with patients and work with the oncology team. An NP may:
- Provide physical exams
- Order and interpret tests
- Prescribe treatments including medicines
- Perform medical procedures
- Provide education and support
Medical Trainees
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the other hospitals of the University Health Network are teaching hospitals. As a teaching hospital, medical trainees may be part of your cancer care team at Princess Margaret. Medical trainees may include:
-
Students: People who are training to become medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, or pharmacists.
-
Residents: Residents are medical doctors training to become specialists. For example, a resident may be a doctor training to become a medical oncologist. Residents train for 1-5 years after they finish medical school.
Radiation Therapists
Radiation therapists work closely with radiation oncologists to develop and deliver your treatment plan. Radiation therapists:
- Make sure that the treatment is delivered safely
- Monitor treatment progress and share the results with other team members
- Provide support and advice on how to manage any side effects
- Teach patients about radiation therapy
You will first meet the radiation therapists at the CT simulation appointment. The radiation therapist will also be at all your radiation treatment appointments.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are health care providers who:
- Review orders for medicines and double-check them to make sure they are correct
- Give you information about your medicines
- Tell you how to safely take your medicines
Patient Flow Coordinator
The patient flow coordinator (PFC) is often the first person you will meet when you arrive at a clinic. The PFC will register you for your visit and have you fill out any forms that are needed. After your visit, the PFC will book any future tests and follow-up visits you need.
Team members that patients may meet
These team members may only see patients depending on the type of cancer they have, their treatment plan, and the type of visit. Patients may need a referral from their doctor to see some of these team members.
Dietitian
Eating well is often hard when a person has cancer and is undergoing treatment. A registered dietitian can help you learn about eating well during and after treatment.
Dietitians can help you:
- Manage symptoms of cancer or the side effects of treatment
- Stay hydrated
- Develop a personal nutrition program
- Control weight loss or weight gain
- Understand the risks and benefits of certain diet therapies
Social Worker
A social worker can help you with your mental and social well-being. Social workers can help you with:
- Emotional matters, such as dealing with fear, anxiety, sadness, anger and a sense of loss
- Financial matters, such as income support and disability benefits
- Practical matters, such as getting to appointments and referrals to community resources
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists work with patients to improve their strength, balance and movement. Physiotherapists can help you prevent or manage pain and increase your fitness, health and wellness.
Physiotherapists:
- Assess how well you can move
- Show you how to exercise to improve your breathing, strength, movement and activity level
- Connect you with community resources or rehabilitation centres
Medical Imaging Technologist
Medical imagine technologists use many different kinds of tests to take pictures of a patient's body such as CT scans, MRIs and mammograms. These pictures help doctors make a treatment plan or decide future steps.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists treat mental and emotional health problems. Psychiatrists may see people on their own or with their partners or family. A psychiatrist can design a mental health treatment plan and can prescribe medicines.
Psychologist
Psychologists treat mental and emotional health problems. A psychologist can also assess learning abilities and help people overcome thinking and memory problems. Psychologists do not prescribe medicine.
Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist helps people who find it hard to perform everyday tasks due to cancer or cancer treatment.
Occupational therapists help you to:
- Manage daily tasks like personal care, hobbies or work
- Care for yourself and stay safe when you go home from hospital or after treatment
- Support healthy lifestyle changes
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-language pathologists help people with physical problems like eating, swallowing, decreased jaw movement and speech.
Spiritual Care Professional
Spiritual care professionals help people and their families find meaning, value, and comfort during a hard time. You do not have to be religious to benefit from spiritual care. Spiritual care professionals help you in a way that honours and values your beliefs.
Team members who you may not meet
These members work with others in your team and play an important part in your care.
Pathologist
Pathologists play an important role in the diagnosis of cancer. A pathologist examines tissue samples taken from a tumour to find out the type of cancer, and the stage and grade of the cancer.
Pathologists help oncologists reach a diagnosis before making a treatment plan.
Radiologist
Radiologists are medical doctors that diagnose and treat injuries and diseases using medical imaging such as:
- X-rays
- CT scan (computed tomography)
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- PET scan (positron emission tomography)
- nuclear medicine
- ultrasound
Medical Physicist
Medical physicists:
- Are experts on how radiation interacts with the human body
- Ensure that the radiation treatment machines work safely and properly
- Confirm that your treatment plan is safe and precise
- Assess and monitor the safety of patients and staff when radiation is used
