An Appointment with a Conventional Oncologist
My last post described a typical initial appointment with an integrative oncologist. Today, I will contrast that with what you would generally expect of the first appointment with a mainstream conventional oncologist. An important caveat here is that obviously all doctors are not the same. This is only a generalization, but nevertheless characteristic of most initial visits in the majority of cancer clinics.
First, you notice that the doctor appears somewhat rushed. Then you remember being surprised at the large number of patients in the waiting room. He or she can’t keep them waiting too long. Conversation begins, void of preliminary small talk, with a mini-lecture about your type of cancer and what the standard therapy is. You hear names of some chemicals that you think you have heard of before and others you have never heard of. If radiation is necessary, you are told that you will be transferred to another doctor at that point. Your oncologist warns about how important it is that you maintain disciplined in keeping the treatment regimen. Little is said about side effects other than to inform him or her if and when you have them, so they can be treated. Nothing is said about the success rate of the therapy or your chances of survival. You are told that the appointment desk will give you your schedule of treatments, and that you can report to that desk for each treatment. You will also receive your next appointment with the doctor in about a month.
When asked if you have any questions, you inquire about your diet, any supplements you might need, and about physical exercise. You are told to eat what you like, since your appetite will be suppressed with chemo and to try to keep up your daily routine as long as possible. If you ask about availability of other potential complementary therapies to enhance the effectiveness of the conventional therapy, the doctor will say he or she is aware of such therapies, but is skeptical of them. He or she cautions you that such complements could interfere with the success of the conventional treatment and could even be dangerous. glancing at a clock on the wall, the doctor says that you shouldn’t worry, and that he or she looks forward to seeing you in a month or so.
Please review my last post and compare these two visits. Of course, these descriptions are overly concise and simplistic, but I believe they do accurately illustrate the basic differences between conventional and integrative medicine, particularly in the field of oncology. I have personal experience with both. I accompanied my late wife to initial visits with a conventional oncologist first, then with an integrative oncologist. The two descriptions I have written are true of my experiences. I think you can see one more reason I am passionate about the future growth of integrative oncology. It is the new strategy that is absolutely essential for victory over this awful disease.