Pancreatic
Cancer Specialists and Cancer Centers
It is important for people
diagnosed with pancreatic cancer to seek care from hospitals and/or
doctors that provide the best quality care. The best care
can be obtained through hospitals or doctors that see large numbers
of patients with pancreatic cancer. With more experience,
hospitals and doctors may have greater knowledge of the disease
and treatment options.
Before the scheduled visit
with the treatment doctor, it can be helpful to gather the patient's
medical paperwork, including test results. This can help alleviate
the duplication of diagnostic tests. Bring a list of questions
to ask the doctor.
Oftentimes a second opinion
can be helpful in confirming the diagnosis and learning about treatment
options. This does not mean that the first doctor's assessment
is wrong.
To find a doctor or hospital
that specializes in the treatment of pancreatic cancer:
- Contact the patient's insurance company and request a
referral to an oncologist who specializes in gastrointestinal
cancers.
- Use the Find
a Physician feature on the National Comprehensive Cancer
Network (NCCN) website.
- Contact PanCAN's PALS program to learn more about specialists
and cancer centers. Please note that PanCAN may provide
specific names of health professionals or cancer centers known
to specialize in pancreatic cancer. However, PanCAN does
not recommend or endorse any one health professional or hospital
over another.
Oncology
Professional Societies:
American
Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
American
Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Oncology
Nursing Society (ONS)
Association
of Oncology Social Work (AOSW)
Other
Resources:
DrScore
website provides feedback on physician quality to patients and to
healthcare professionals.
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