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A Good Doctor-Patient Relationship in Breast Cancer

Summary & Participants

Women with breast cancer face overwhelming decisions. And having the support of friends and family is key. But women who have been through it say that having a caring doctor, one who you know is looking out for your best interests, can make all the difference. Hear what patients and doctors have to say about pulling together a caring and coordinated treatment team.

Medically Reviewed On: July 11, 2008

Webcast Transcript

GENEROSA GRANA, MD: They are there to support her in her decisions. They are there to help her in seeking and obtaining the appropriate information. They may just go with her on her appointments, and another set of ears is critical. They may be there to take her for her appointments if she can't drive herself, to take her for radiation, to take her for her chemotherapy appointments. And we must also emphasize the emotional support that they can give as she's dealing with this disease.

ANNOUNCER: Of course those nearest and dearest can have mixed emotions.

CAROLE CHAMBERLAIN: I think they were very supportive of me but I think they were more scared than I was because let's face it, there for the grace of God goes every woman in this world.

ANNOUNCER: Often support comes from those going through the same experience.

CAROLE CHAMBERLAIN: It's very helpful to talk to women who have been there and done that. You get that reaching out, that experience. Now everybody's experience is different. Everybody's surgery is different. But when you can see somebody who has been through something worse than what you're going through, it really helps. And women are sharing more today. They're not holding back.

ANNOUNCER: Doctors encourage their patients to learn about their disease in many ways.

CAROLE CHAMBERLAIN: Online resources have helped tremendously. I've spoken to a lot of my friends who were diagnosed and immediately got on the Internet. Between organizations like the Komen Foundation, the Cancer Society, Sharing and Caring, here in New York, SHARE organization.

D. LAWRENCE WICKERHAM, MD: I often take time when the patient is first diagnosed with a breast cancer to sort of go over the fact that they are going to be getting lots of information from lots of different sources, and they need to take that information with a grain of salt, whether or not it's Aunt Tillie or Dan Rather.

ANNOUNCER: While being educated about your disease is important, a good relationship with your doctor is vital.

CAROLE CHAMBERLAIN: If you don't like what the doctor says or the personalities clash, it's like a date. You can tell on the first hour of a date. If you don't like him, go home.

Ask a friend, call a medical association, call an organization like the Komen Foundation. They will help you in any part of this country they have teams; they have organizations. With what you're going through as a possible breast cancer survivor, you don't need to be treated like a number. You need to be treated like a human being.

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