My Oncologist: How important do you all feel it is to seek out an Ocologist who specializes in Melanoma?

How important do you all feel it is to seek out an Ocologist who specializes in Melanoma? 

It can be a life or death decision. I know, because I chose life.

My first consult with an oncologist wanted to put me in the hospital and make comfortable as possible. I asked about clinical trials and he said we don't do them here. He was taken back by my knowledge around Melanoma. I did my homework and it has paid me hansomely in years of survival.

Some folk can't, won't, and don't travel for therapy due to financial  or other   or  or  concerns. Ask yourself one Question.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE WORTH, TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? Your Decision effects not just you, but  your whole family's egosystem .

It is your decision and your life.

Warm regards,

Jimmy B

How important do you all feel it is to seek out an Ocologist who specializes in Melanoma? 

It can be a life or death decision. I know, because I chose life.

My first consult with an oncologist wanted to put me in the hospital and make comfortable as possible. I asked about clinical trials and he said we don't do them here. He was taken back by my knowledge around Melanoma. I did my homework and it has paid me hansomely in years of survival.

Some folk can't, won't, and don't travel for therapy due to financial  or other   or  or  concerns. Ask yourself one Question.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE WORTH, TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? Your Decision effects not just you, but  your whole family's egosystem .

It is your decision and your life.

Warm regards,

Jimmy B

How important do you all feel it is to seek out an Ocologist who specializes in Melanoma? 

It can be a life or death decision. I know, because I chose life.

My first consult with an oncologist wanted to put me in the hospital and make comfortable as possible. I asked about clinical trials and he said we don't do them here. He was taken back by my knowledge around Melanoma. I did my homework and it has paid me hansomely in years of survival.

Some folk can't, won't, and don't travel for therapy due to financial  or other   or  or  concerns. Ask yourself one Question.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE WORTH, TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? Your Decision effects not just you, but  your whole family's egosystem .

It is your decision and your life.

Warm regards,

Jimmy B

To put things in a different perspective, if you had a life-threatening heart condition would you prefer to see a general practitioner or a cardiologist? I'd definitely head to the cardiologist.

It's the same with oncologists. The melanoma specialist sees hundreds of melanoma cases a year, is well aware of all its nuances, and is up to date on the treatments available. A general oncologist will see far fewer cases and may either not be up to date on available treatments or not have access to them. Through a melanoma specialist  you can learn about approved treatment that may help and also find out if you qualify for any clinical trials, which can provide you with additional treatment options.

To put things in a different perspective, if you had a life-threatening heart condition would you prefer to see a general practitioner or a cardiologist? I'd definitely head to the cardiologist.

It's the same with oncologists. The melanoma specialist sees hundreds of melanoma cases a year, is well aware of all its nuances, and is up to date on the treatments available. A general oncologist will see far fewer cases and may either not be up to date on available treatments or not have access to them. Through a melanoma specialist  you can learn about approved treatment that may help and also find out if you qualify for any clinical trials, which can provide you with additional treatment options.

To put things in a different perspective, if you had a life-threatening heart condition would you prefer to see a general practitioner or a cardiologist? I'd definitely head to the cardiologist.

It's the same with oncologists. The melanoma specialist sees hundreds of melanoma cases a year, is well aware of all its nuances, and is up to date on the treatments available. A general oncologist will see far fewer cases and may either not be up to date on available treatments or not have access to them. Through a melanoma specialist  you can learn about approved treatment that may help and also find out if you qualify for any clinical trials, which can provide you with additional treatment options.

When I was first diagnosed by my GP he referred me to a dermatologist.  The derm simply said I had a choice: I could either see a Melanoma Specialist, closest was about 500 miles away or see a local oncologist, who was very good.  I asked him what he would do and he said no doubt see a specialist.  He said my melanoma was relatively deep (3mm) and spreading quickly (mitosis of 16).  That melanoma was unpredictable and that treatment could be better done with a specialist.  He suggested that if I decided that I could not afford travel or it got difficult I could coordinate treatment though a local oncologist and the specialist but it was really best to have the melanoma specialist on my side in the beginning.  He said he has had cases where it had taken up to 6-8 weeks to get a patient in to a specialist and that was time you didn't want to waste.  Thankful I had two savvy doctors when I started this journey and even more thankful I really haven't needed the "special" knowledge of the specialist.

Mary

Stage 3

When I was first diagnosed by my GP he referred me to a dermatologist.  The derm simply said I had a choice: I could either see a Melanoma Specialist, closest was about 500 miles away or see a local oncologist, who was very good.  I asked him what he would do and he said no doubt see a specialist.  He said my melanoma was relatively deep (3mm) and spreading quickly (mitosis of 16).  That melanoma was unpredictable and that treatment could be better done with a specialist.  He suggested that if I decided that I could not afford travel or it got difficult I could coordinate treatment though a local oncologist and the specialist but it was really best to have the melanoma specialist on my side in the beginning.  He said he has had cases where it had taken up to 6-8 weeks to get a patient in to a specialist and that was time you didn't want to waste.  Thankful I had two savvy doctors when I started this journey and even more thankful I really haven't needed the "special" knowledge of the specialist.

Mary

Stage 3

When I was first diagnosed by my GP he referred me to a dermatologist.  The derm simply said I had a choice: I could either see a Melanoma Specialist, closest was about 500 miles away or see a local oncologist, who was very good.  I asked him what he would do and he said no doubt see a specialist.  He said my melanoma was relatively deep (3mm) and spreading quickly (mitosis of 16).  That melanoma was unpredictable and that treatment could be better done with a specialist.  He suggested that if I decided that I could not afford travel or it got difficult I could coordinate treatment though a local oncologist and the specialist but it was really best to have the melanoma specialist on my side in the beginning.  He said he has had cases where it had taken up to 6-8 weeks to get a patient in to a specialist and that was time you didn't want to waste.  Thankful I had two savvy doctors when I started this journey and even more thankful I really haven't needed the "special" knowledge of the specialist.

Mary

Stage 3

I believe it depends on your situation, and your location. The more advanced or active the disease, the more important a melanoma specialist would be. If I lived in Houston I'd go to MDA.

I have a long history with melanoma and live in a place that does not have a melanoma specialist. I see a fine general oncologist, who listens to me and helps me find what I need when I need it. I have seen melanoma specialists in the past and will again, and feel confident that my current oncologist will help me pave the way to any center I might need to go to, and work well with any other oncologist I choose.

Certainly if one is facing active tumors and/or new diagnosis of an advanced stage, then a melanoma specialist should be consulted. But for someone who is NED and doing well, having a doctor who you can communicate well with is pretty important.

I am currently Stage IV NED for over 2 yrs, and have been out of treatment (clinical trial) since the end of 2010. I left the state for my last trial, and would not hesitate to leave again if and when my condition becomes more serious. But I'm pretty happy not having to spend a bunch of money traveling all over the country for a bunch of routine stuff that can be done right here (scans and bloodwork)

I'd rather spend my money traveling around to festivals or buying guitars.

dian

I believe it depends on your situation, and your location. The more advanced or active the disease, the more important a melanoma specialist would be. If I lived in Houston I'd go to MDA.

I have a long history with melanoma and live in a place that does not have a melanoma specialist. I see a fine general oncologist, who listens to me and helps me find what I need when I need it. I have seen melanoma specialists in the past and will again, and feel confident that my current oncologist will help me pave the way to any center I might need to go to, and work well with any other oncologist I choose.

Certainly if one is facing active tumors and/or new diagnosis of an advanced stage, then a melanoma specialist should be consulted. But for someone who is NED and doing well, having a doctor who you can communicate well with is pretty important.

I am currently Stage IV NED for over 2 yrs, and have been out of treatment (clinical trial) since the end of 2010. I left the state for my last trial, and would not hesitate to leave again if and when my condition becomes more serious. But I'm pretty happy not having to spend a bunch of money traveling all over the country for a bunch of routine stuff that can be done right here (scans and bloodwork)

I'd rather spend my money traveling around to festivals or buying guitars.

dian

I believe it depends on your situation, and your location. The more advanced or active the disease, the more important a melanoma specialist would be. If I lived in Houston I'd go to MDA.

I have a long history with melanoma and live in a place that does not have a melanoma specialist. I see a fine general oncologist, who listens to me and helps me find what I need when I need it. I have seen melanoma specialists in the past and will again, and feel confident that my current oncologist will help me pave the way to any center I might need to go to, and work well with any other oncologist I choose.

Certainly if one is facing active tumors and/or new diagnosis of an advanced stage, then a melanoma specialist should be consulted. But for someone who is NED and doing well, having a doctor who you can communicate well with is pretty important.

I am currently Stage IV NED for over 2 yrs, and have been out of treatment (clinical trial) since the end of 2010. I left the state for my last trial, and would not hesitate to leave again if and when my condition becomes more serious. But I'm pretty happy not having to spend a bunch of money traveling all over the country for a bunch of routine stuff that can be done right here (scans and bloodwork)

I'd rather spend my money traveling around to festivals or buying guitars.

dian

My first onc referred me to the best melanoma man he knew of in the area (about 25 mi away) & I believe he would have been fine for me. But both of them had large waiting rooms filled with people with breast cancer, lung cancer, brain, prostate, etc. I decided to drive the 5 hours to Moffitt. There I found another large waiting room but this one was just for cutaneous & neuro. Everyone waiting was in the same boat and the doctors I saw dealt almost exclusively with melanoma. That was my reason to seek a specialist.

My first onc referred me to the best melanoma man he knew of in the area (about 25 mi away) & I believe he would have been fine for me. But both of them had large waiting rooms filled with people with breast cancer, lung cancer, brain, prostate, etc. I decided to drive the 5 hours to Moffitt. There I found another large waiting room but this one was just for cutaneous & neuro. Everyone waiting was in the same boat and the doctors I saw dealt almost exclusively with melanoma. That was my reason to seek a specialist.

My first onc referred me to the best melanoma man he knew of in the area (about 25 mi away) & I believe he would have been fine for me. But both of them had large waiting rooms filled with people with breast cancer, lung cancer, brain, prostate, etc. I decided to drive the 5 hours to Moffitt. There I found another large waiting room but this one was just for cutaneous & neuro. Everyone waiting was in the same boat and the doctors I saw dealt almost exclusively with melanoma. That was my reason to seek a specialist.