Radiologist
Radiologists are doctors trained in the use of x-rays, ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans as well as other imaging techniques to diagnose, treat and monitor various diseases including cancer. Diagnostic images can now be used at an early stage in many diseases. The same technology can be used to monitor changes in the characteristics of disease with treatment and to monitor progress.
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Radiation Oncologist
Radiation oncologists are doctors specialising in the use of radiation to treat cancer. They are also called radiotherapists in some countries. Cancer treatment often involves more than one form of treatment and in most centres cancer is treated by a multidisciplinary team.
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Pathologist
Pathologists are doctors specialising in diagnosing diseases by examining cells, tissue, blood, and body fluids using sophisticated laboratory techniques. The information they provide is essential in determining the most effective form of treatment.
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Medical Oncologist
Medical oncologists are doctors specialising in the management of patients with cancer. They are trained to use chemotherapy (treatment with drugs) for cancer. Medical oncologists work as part of the multidisciplinary team with surgeons, radiation oncologists and other clinicians to identify and provide the best treatment options for patients. They also supervise therapy and manage any complications of disease or treatment.
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Surgeon (surgical oncologist)
Surgical oncologists are surgeons specialising in the treatment of particular forms of cancer. Surgical oncologists work as part of the multidisciplinary team working with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and other clinicians to identify and provide the best treatment options for patients.
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Medical Physicist
Medical physicists supervise the dose of radiation to treat a tumour, which involves applying their knowledge to suit the requirements of individual patients and the tumour to be treated.
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Radiotherapy Technicians, Radiotherapy Nurses and Radiotherapy Radiographers
These three groups of health professionals work as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team. Their titles, responsibilities and training vary from country to country. Their responsibilities may include implementing prescribed radiotherapy treatment, documenting all treatments given and maintaining work records, identifying patient teaching needs, monitoring and performing quality control checks on equipment and all related duties.
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Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists treat a range of physical problems resulting from illness, injury, or disability. Treatment programmes include manual therapy, movement, provision of exercises and the use of ultrasound and other technologies. More details on the help physiotherapists can provide for cancer patients is contained in the Physiotherapy Section.
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Psychologist
Clinical psychologists reduce psychological distress and enhance psychological wellbeing. Anxiety, depression, and relationship problems can all affect cancer patients, who benefit from the professional assessment, therapy, counselling and advice that clinical psychologists are able to provide.
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Dietician
Dieticians are experts in food and nutrition, promoting good health through proper eating. In cancer care dieticians are important members of the clinical team. Patients undergoing radiotherapy need a diet with sufficient calories and essential foodstuffs but may feel nauseated, or find swallowing difficult. Dieticians provide advice and assistance in finding a palatable diet meeting the patient’s needs.
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Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists help people to regain or maintain health and well-being and identify ways to make daily tasks easier for patients. The range of help provided is as wide as the needs of the people they help.
Speech and Language Therapist
Speech and language therapists assess and treat speech, language and communication problems in people of all ages with all sorts of communication problems including those caused by cancer or its treatment. They also work with people who have eating and swallowing problems.
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