and an expert team of health care professionals are the ones who are most qualified to treat
you. 2-Finding the Right Expert for Your Diagnosis Only an experienced pleural mesothelioma specialist
can properly diagnose and treat this rare disease. We work with the top doctors around the country
and help patients find the best treatment team for their individual diagnosis. Although pleural is the most common type of
mesothelioma, it is still a rare cancer with about 2,000 to 3,000 people diagnosed in the
United States each year.
Sometimes it may seem as if doctors who specialize
in treating this disease are as rare as the cancer itself, but finding a specialist should
be your number one priority. 3-Why Do I Need a Specialist? Finding a specialist is extremely important. Only experienced doctors who have diagnosed
and treated this disease before can offer you the most promising and most accurate prognosis. 3-1-Knowledge and Experience Specialists offer knowledge, experience and
skill.
They know the intricacies and subtleties of
the disease and have access to the latest advances in technology and treatment options. Doctors with years of experience know this
disease better than anyone and are better prepared for the challenges associated with
it. 3-2-Accurate Diagnosis They also have the ability to accurately diagnosis
this type of cancer while developing a treatment plan unique to your situation. A specialist with experience diagnosing and
treating different stages and cell types of pleural mesothelioma can give you the best
possible prognosis.
3-3-Non-Specialists Doctors inexperienced with the diagnosis and
treatment of mesothelioma can make a number of costly mistakes. For one, they may misdiagnose your cancer
as a less severe respiratory condition, delaying proper treatment. They could also misjudge the stage of your
cancer and start a treatment plan that is ineffective for your current state of disease. 4-What to Consider When Choosing a Doctor? 4-1-Experience First and foremost, your doctor should have
years of experience treating pleural mesothelioma.
Depending upon what stage you are diagnosed
at, youll want to select doctors who specialize in the kind of treatment youll benefit
from the most. For example, not everyone is diagnosed early
enough to qualify for surgery, but those who do qualify should select a mesothelioma doctor
who specializes in thoracic surgery. If you dont qualify for surgery, select
oncologists who specialize in chemotherapy or radiation therapy for pleural mesothelioma. 4-2-Compassion and Understanding The connection and relationship you develop
with your doctor is important.
Find a doctor who makes you feel comfortable,
and who is accessible and open to discussions about your goals and concerns. Ask yourself if you feel like you can communicate
clearly with the doctor you are considering. If you respect the doctor, feel comfortable
around them and believe they will communicate well with you, youve found a good contender. 4-3-Location Depending on where you live, you may have
to travel to see the specialist with whom you feel the most comfortable.
This can be expensive, but some specialty
centers help with transportation and lodging costs if you have to travel a considerable
distance. Travel grants are also available and our patient
advocates can help you apply. Traveling for treatment may sound stressful,
but it could help you access top-notch care and the latest advancements in treatment. 4-4-Quality of Cancer Center Sometimes doctors are only as good as the
tools at their disposal.
Make sure to ask your doctor how their cancer
center compares to others in the country. This is especially important if you are a
candidate for surgery because you want the latest technology being used by your surgical
team. The best cancer centers for pleural mesothelioma
have doctors who specialize in all forms of effective treatment for mesothelioma, including
surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. 4-5-Insurance Youll probably want a doctor who is part
of your health care plan, a preferred provider or at least a doctor who accepts your insurance.
It is no surprise that medical bills can add
up, even with an in-network doctor. Insurance companies are notorious for denying
coverage, but you can appeal denied claims and learn more about financial assistance
options. Our patient advocates can help answer insurance
questions and provide information on financial assistance..
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