Your health care team

Your GP will probably arrange the first tests if you have symptoms. If these tests do not rule out cancer, you will usually be referred to a specialist called a gynaecological oncologist. The gynaecological oncologist will arrange further tests, perform any recommended surgery and consider treatment options.

Often the treatment 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 a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your care.

Your health care team

Your health care team may include these people:

GP	assists you with treatment decisions and works in partnership with your specialists in providing ongoing care
gynaecological oncologist	diagnoses and performs surgery for cancers of the female reproductive system, such as ovarian, cervical, uterine, vulvar and vaginal cancers
gynaecological pathologist	examines tissue removed from the abdomen or ovaries under a microscope
medical oncologist	treats cancer with drug therapies including chemotherapy and targeted therapy
radiation oncologist	treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy
radiation therapist	plans and delivers radiation therapy
radiologist	reads and interprets diagnostic scans, such as x-rays and CT and PET scans
cancer care coordinator	coordinates your care, liaises with other members of the MDT and supports you and your family throughout treatment
nurse	administers drugs and provides care, information and support throughout treatment
physiotherapist, occupational therapist	assist with physical and practical problems, including restoring movement and mobility after treatment and recommending aids and equipment
exercise physiologist	prescribes exercise to help people with medical conditions improve their overall health and fitness
dietitian	recommends an eating plan to follow while you are in treatment and recovery
social worker	links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical and financial issues
counsellor, clinical psychologist	help you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment
palliative care specialists and nurses	work closely with the GP and oncologist to help control pain and other symptoms and maintain quality of life
family cancer specialist, genetic counsellor	provide advice about genetic causes of ovarian cancer; arrange genetic test results if required and interpret the results for you and your family

This information was last reviewed in May 2020. View who reviewed this content.

A/Prof Sam Saidi, Senior Staff Specialist, Gynaecological Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; A/Prof Penny Blomfield, Gynaecological Oncologist, Hobart Women’s Specialists, and Chair, Australian Society of Gynaecologic Oncologists, TAS; Dr Robyn Cheuk, Senior Radiation Oncologist, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Kim Hobbs, Clinical Specialist Social Worker, Gynaecological Cancer, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Sonja Kingston, Consumer; Clinical A/Prof Judy Kirk, Head, Familial Cancer Service, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW; Prof Linda Mileshkin, Medical Oncologist and Clinical Researcher, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Deb Roffe, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Support Team, Ovarian Cancer Australia; Emily Stevens, Gynaecology Oncology Nurse Coordinator, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Dr Amy Vassallo, Fussell Family Foundation Research Fellow, Cancer Research Division, Cancer Council NSW; Merran Williams, Consumer.

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