How to Find an Oncologist

An oncologist, or doctor who treats cancer, is an essential figure in the life of a cancer patient. This person must be a kind, skilled physician to whom the patient can relate. Because an oncologist has a deeper relationship to his or her patients than most doctors, it is essential to choose the right oncologist. Read on to learn how to find an oncologist.

Instructions

• 1

  Visit the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) website. See the Resources section below for a link. They have a detailed "Find an oncologist" database. You can search by doctor's name, practice name, address, city, state, country, board certification or oncology specialty such as urological or radiation oncology. The database returns physicians that meet your criteria and displays their names, addresses, phone numbers, board certification and oncology specialties.

• 2

  Check out the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. See the Resources section below for a link. They have a quality searchable database for pediatric oncologists using fields such as name, facility, city, state and country. You will find results for the oncologist's name, phone number, fax number and practice name.

• 3

  Ask coworkers, fellow church members, friends, family and acquaintances for recommendations to a reputable oncologist. After all, there is no better way to ascertain the skills and abilities of a physician than to get a first-hand account.

• 4

  Get your primary care doctor to recommend an oncologist. Doctors are often happy to pass along referrals to oncologists who meet your specific needs. If you have exact qualifications for a potential doctor, do not hesitate to communicate these to your referring doctor. This will help him or her better know to whom they should refer you.

• 5

  Call your insurance company or visit its website to find an oncologist who is in your medical plan's network.