Your general practitioner (GP) will arrange the first tests. If these tests do not rule out cancer, you will usually be referred to a specialist for further tests. The specialist you see will often depend on the symptoms and the possible location of the cancer.
For example, you may see a gastroenterologist (digestive tract, bowel or stomach), a gynaecologist (female reproductive system), a urologist (urinary tract or kidneys; male reproductive system), a respiratory physician or thoracic surgeon (chest and lung), a neurologist/neurosurgeon (brain and spinal cord) or a haematologist (blood cells). Sometimes your main specialist will be a medical oncologist who treats all types of cancer.
If cancer is diagnosed, the specialist will consider the treatment options. Often these options will be discussed with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. During and after treatment, you will see various health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your care.
To find cancer specialists, multidisciplinary teams and hospitals in NSW or ACT, you can visit the NSW Government website CanRefer.
Health professionals you may see
| GP | assists you with treatment decisions and works with your specialists in providing ongoing care |
| medical oncologist* | treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy (systemic treatment) |
| surgeon* | surgically removes tumours and performs some biopsies |
| radiation oncologist* | treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy |
| radiologist* | analyses x-rays and scans; an interventional radiologist also does some biopsies and treatments |
| pathologist* | examines cells and tissue samples to determine the type and extent of the cancer |
| tumour-specific specialists* | specialise in particular areas of the body |
| nurse | administers drugs and provides care, information and support throughout treatment |
| cancer care coordinator | coordinates care and supports you and your family throughout treatment; may also be a clinical nurse consultant or clinical nurse specialist |
| palliative care team | works closely with the GP and cancer team to help control symptoms and maintain quality of life |
| dietitian | recommends an eating plan to follow while you are in treatment and recovery |
| physiotherapist, occupational therapist | assist with physical and practical problems, including restoring movement and mobility |
| social worker | links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical and financial issues |
| psychiatrist*, psychologist | help you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment |
Listen to our podcasts on Making Treatment Decisions and Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
Prof Linda Mileshkin, Medical Oncologist, Clinical Researcher, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Christine Bradfield, Consumer; Cindy Bryant, Consumer; Dr Maria Cigolini, Head, Department of Palliative Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and Clinical Lecturer, The University of Sydney, NSW; Mary Duffy, Advanced Practice Nurse and Nurse Coordinator, Lung Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Karen Hall, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Andrew Oar, Radiation Oncologist, Icon Cancer Centre, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Dr Siobhan O’Neill, Medical Oncologist, Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, NSW; Prof Penelope Schofield, Department of Psychological Sciences and the Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, and Head, Behavioural Science in Cancer, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Frank Stoss, Consumer.
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