Hearing that you have cancer can be extremely traumatic and a lot to take in. It is important to know what is happening to your body and what can be done to treat it.
A “Cancer 101” presentation by a professor at John Hopkins University School of Medicine explains it concisely.
“Cancer is an imbalance between cell growth and cell death, such that large numbers of cells accumulate in one place. If they accumulate into a ball, they form into what is known as a benign tumour, which can be cut out of the body. If they accumulate into an irregular shape, they form a malignant or cancerous tumour, and not all the cells can always be cut out. In that case, further surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or other therapies may be required.”
When you are diagnosed with cancer by a specialist, i.e. surgeon, physician, GP or other medical practitioner, you will be referred to an oncologist – a doctor specialising in the treatment of cancer, in this case Dr Smalberger. In order for him to evaluate you, you will need a histology report proving the diagnosis.
During your first consultation with Dr Smalberger, he will review your medical history, perform a clinical evaluation and discuss a treatment plan with you. He may also refer you for more tests, in the form of blood work-up, CT scans, MRI’s, or sonars, in order to obtain a complete picture of the extent of the disease.
Once Dr Smalberger and the patient have discussed and agreed on the treatment options going forward, the patient is registered on the oncology programme of his/her medical aid and the medical aid is contacted for authorisation of treatment. Patients without medical aid, but who choose to pay for further tests and possible treatment, are also accommodated.
