Cancer care team

Your role

As the patient, you’re the most important part of your cancer care team. That’s because you’re at the center of everything we do. Expect your doctors and nurses to ask for your opinion and provide care that fits your needs.

Your physician specialists

Benefit from the combined expertise of specialists from ProHealth and UW Health. Your care team meets regularly to discuss your health and create a coordinated treatment plan that fits you. Cancer doctors on your team may include:

• Medical oncologists – Explain your diagnosis, help you understand treatment options and provide care.
• Radiation oncologists - Use carefully targeted and regulated doses of radiation to treat cancer.
• Pathologists – Review the results of lab tests to determine the type and severity (stage) of your cancer.
• Diagnostic radiologists – Use imaging tests to find cancer and see how far it has spread.
• Interventional radiologists – Help diagnose or treat cancer using imaging technology and minimally invasive techniques.
• Fellowship-trained surgeons – Perform surgery to prevent, diagnose or treat cancer, or to restore your appearance or function after treatment.

Cancer nurse navigators

You’ll meet your nurse navigator right after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Lean on him or her for guidance and support throughout your cancer journey. As your point person for cancer care, your nurse navigator can:

• Answer your questions.
• Coordinate your care.
• Go to appointments with you.
• Explain your treatment options.
• Help you understand your diagnosis.
• Serve as your advocate.

Comprehensive care team

Your ProHealth cancer team includes a wide range of professionals dedicated to providing care and support throughout your journey. They may join your physician team meetings to help plan care that addresses your medical, behavioral, emotional, social and spiritual health. Your cancer care team may include:

• Chaplains – Provide spiritual support.
• Oncology-certified dietitians – Promote nutrition that supports good health and healing.
• Genetic counselors – Explain the role of genes in cancer and help you decide whether to pursue genetic testing.
• High-risk cancer practitioners – Help identify precancerous risk factors and assist in cancer prevention.
• Mental health counselors – Help you cope and adjust to living with cancer.
• Certified oncology nurses – Provide care and education.
• Pharmacists – Help ensure you’re taking medications safely and correctly.
• Research specialists – Help you understand clinical trials.
• Rehabilitation therapists – Help you build strength and independence.
• Social workers – Provide emotional support and connect you with resources to overcome challenges.