Dr. Anna Pavlick is a medical oncologist with over 20 years of experience treating patients with skin cancer and is the founding Director of the Cutaneous Oncology Program at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian. To learn more about Dr. Pavlick, visit here.
What are steps does skin cancer expert Dr. Anna Pavlick take to empower her patients? Dr. Pavlick explains how self-education and being comfortable with your healthcare team are key components of patient empowerment.
Related Resources
Transcript
r. Miller:
Hi, I’m Dr. Miller, and I am a dermatologic oncologist, which means I specialize in treating people with skin cancer. And this is my patient, Andrea, who has basal cell carcinoma, a type of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent, but this group of cancers also includes.
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- And Merkel cell cancer, among other less common types
Today, we’ll talk about who’s on your healthcare team, your role in care decisions, and the factors to consider when choosing a treatment.
Andrea:
When I was diagnosed, it was a lot to take in. But through my conversations with Dr. Miller, I quickly learned that understanding my care and treatment options is essential. And, along with Dr. Miller, I had a whole team of providers that helped coordinate my care.
Dr. Miller, can you share an overview of common members of a skin cancer care team?
Dr. Miller:
Absolutely. Your healthcare team may include:
- A dermatologist, who focuses on skin health and manages your initial diagnosis.
- An oncologist, who specializes in cancer treatment, and may guide your overall treatment plan.
- There could also be a surgeon, who performs any necessary surgical procedures.
- And a radiation oncologist, who administers radiation therapy, if needed.
- And finally, there may be additional team members, such as a nurse navigator, to help coordinate your care or a social worker to aid with support and access to resources.
I also want to add that YOU, the patient, are the central member of the healthcare team. So, let’s talk about YOUR role in your care.
Andrea:
Absolutely, as a patient, you should not be passive in your care. I always bring a list of questions to my appointments and make sure I understand the treatment options available to me. Here’s advice for being engaged in your care:
- First, ask questions: Never hesitate to talk to your healthcare team about your diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect at each stage of care.
- Next, be informed: Learn about your condition and the various therapies available. Advocacy groups, like the Patient Empowerment Network, can be very helpful.
- Always communicate openly: Share your symptoms, concerns, and preferences with your team. This helps tailor your treatment to your specific needs.
- And finally, advocate for yourself: If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. You can and should be involved in every decision about your care.
Dr. Miller:
Those are great tips, Andrea. It’s also important to understand the factors that can impact treatment options. They include:
- The type and stage of skin cancer.
- Your overall health including other medical conditions that may affect therapy.
- The treatment goals that you determined with your care team.
- You should also consider a treatment’s potential side effects. Understanding the side effects can help you weigh the risks and benefits of each option.
- And, how treatment may impact your lifestyle, including your daily life, work, hobbies, and family time.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Your healthcare team is a support system that is here to guide and to assist you every step of the way.
Andrea:
For more information and valuable resources, visit powerfulpatients.org. Thank you for joining us!