When you’re playing a game of baseball, you aren’t the only one on the field. Everyone has their own strengths, and they’re given a position that fits their abilities. Not everyone is expected to pitch or hit home runs. By having all sorts of players on the field, the team can accomplish more together than they ever could apart.
Cancer care is similar, and many oncologists, like Michael Costello, MD, Medical Director at Chester County Hospital, describe it as such.
"Cancer care has become a team sport, with many different team members surrounding a patient as they provide necessary medical care," Dr. Costello says. "Depending on the details of their specific cancer, there are many different medical specialties that can be involved in a patient's care."
While Dr. Costello is a highly-skilled provider and medical leader, he isn't the only one treating patients with lung cancer — and he'll be the first to tell you that. If you've been diagnosed with cancer, there are many people who will be on your cancer care team, working together to make sure you get the care you need.
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If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, you may be wondering who all might become a part of your journey at Chester County Hospital. Here are some of the different medical specialists that might be on your cancer care team — and what they do.
Your Cancer Care Team
Pulmonologist: A pulmonologist is one of the first people on your cancer care team. Pulmonologists specialize in the respiratory system, including your lungs. Their role is to establish a diagnosis for your lung cancer. They do this through either a bronchoscopy or other interventions like a CT-guided biopsy, which allows them to collect a piece of a lung tumor.
Pathologist: A pathologist is also involved in the diagnosis of lung cancer — though their role is a little more behind the scenes. Pathologists can help review a lung biopsy specimen to better understand if further study is needed to decide the best treatment for you and your specific lung cancer.
Medical Oncologist: Dr. Costello is a medical oncologist, meaning he specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Medical oncologists will generally be your primary provider throughout your cancer journey. They act as the coordinator for the different care you may receive from other medical specialists and can connect you with the services you require.
Thoracic Surgeon: A thoracic surgeon is a type of surgeon who can perform surgeries and operations in the chest, like on your heart and lungs. There are different kinds of surgery you may need if you've been diagnosed with lung cancer, and a thoracic surgeon is a knowledgeable part of your cancer team who can perform them.
Radiation Oncologist: If you need to receive radiation therapy as a part of your cancer care, it will be overseen by a radiation oncologist. This kind of medical specialist will meet with you to talk about your treatment plan, answer your questions and work with the other members of your cancer team to ensure you get the best possible care.
Your Cancer Care Team Goes Beyond Oncologists
While you may be familiar with many of the cancer-related specialists that might be on your cancer care team, there are actually many more individuals who will play a role in your care.
Here are some of the additional people at Chester County Hospital ready to support you in your cancer care and treatment plan:
Nurse Navigators: Cancer care can be confusing, but nurse navigators are an important part of your cancer team. Nurse navigators can help you coordinate and schedule appointments and tests, provide information to you and your family, and act as the bridge between you, clinicians and the services you need.
Respiratory Therapist: If you have been diagnosed with chronic lung disease, it can impact many other aspects of your life and health. Respiratory therapists can provide information to you and your family about lung cancer to help improve your overall quality of life. They can also monitor your oxygen levels and — if needed — ventilators or other artificial airway devices that can support your lung function.
Exercise Therapist: Your lungs help you breathe and do activities each day. When you have lung cancer, you may find you're not able to do certain tasks as easily. Exercise therapists can help you make and reach your health goals by creating a plan that works for you. This can include personalized education and supervised exercise sessions.
Nutritionist: Nutritionists are another key part of your team, helping to maintain your nutritional status throughout the duration of your care. To improve health outcomes, they make sure you're getting enough vitamins, minerals and sufficient food to eat. Nutritionists can be involved prior to treatment, during treatment and even after treatment.
Diabetes Educator: Sometimes, you may have lung cancer as well as diabetes or prediabetes. Your cancer treatment and care plan doesn’t just focus on your cancer, but your overall health as well. A certified diabetes educator can help you better understand and manage your diabetes.
Smoking Cessation Counselors: Your lung health can be impacted by many different risk factors and lifestyle choices. If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer or have poor lung health, you may decide to stop smoking. There's never a bad time to quit smoking, and the counselors in our Smoking Cessation program can help.
Your Peers: Some of the people in your cancer support system might not even be medical professionals. Designed to support individuals with chronic lung disease or COPD and provide guidance, the Better Breathers Support Group is made up of regular individuals who want to focus on their lung health and find community with one another. This can be a great way to connect and find additional support.
When It Comes to Cancer Care — We're on Your Team
Getting a diagnosis of lung cancer can leave you with many questions and worries — but the cancer care team at Chester County Hospital is here to support you every step of the way.
"I don't know a single person out there that hasn't been touched by cancer in some way or form. It's a disease that affects almost every family out there," says Dr. Costello. "The relationships I get to develop with my patients are incredibly rewarding, as I see them through various phases of their care."
From diagnosis to treatment, Dr. Costello and his team can provide the care you need to help you feel like the real MVP.
If you have questions about your lung cancer diagnosis or lung health, make an appointment at Chester County Hospital by calling 215-360-0586.