As a prostate cancer patient, you will likely work with an array of prostate cancer specialists during your diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. This includes different types of doctors, as well as a variety of other health professionals (sometimes called medical specialists).
Other Medical Specialists You Will Likely Encounter
Oncology Nurses
Oncology nurses have undergone extra training to work specifically with cancer patients. They may be involved with your initial cancer diagnosis, help your physician deliver treatment, and help monitor you after treatment has been completed.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists are specially trained to improve and maximize a patient's physical function, mobility, and strength following treatment or complications from their disease.
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists use special exercises and equipment to improve a patient's ability to carry out tasks of normal day-to-day living.
Dietitians
Dietitians work to improve a patient's nutrition. Cancer patients often need to follow specific diets to due to nutritional deficits or other health conditions. Dietitians work to craft a patient-specific nutritional plan.
Counselors and Psychologists
Cancer and cancer treatment can take a toll on a patient's emotional health, so counselors and psychologists are available to help patients and their families learn to cope with the changes in their lives. Some counselors and psychologists have undergone special training to better help cancer patients in particular.
Social Workers
Social workers connect patients and their families with the resources that are available to them. There are many resources available in the community for cancer patients and social workers work to arrange the use of these resources.
Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants
Some physicians who work with prostate cancer patients employ either nurse practitioners or physician assistants. These health professionals do some jobs that are similar to what your physician may do, including sometimes seeing patients at follow-up visits, assisting with medication questions, or helping with surgery.
