Matching Patient Needs with Oncologists’ Strengths in Cancer Care

Sue McCarthy received diagnoses of breast cancer in 2001 and lung cancer in 2018. Catch up on all of Sue's blogs here!

I’m from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Pittsburgh is not a large metropolitan city, but it does have two excellent healthcare systems.

A few months ago, I wrote a blog, “Still Wondering.” In that blog I revisited my lung cancer treatment journey, questioning why, in 2018, my oncologist chose Cisplatin, a harsh chemotherapy over Imfinzi (durvalumab), a checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, as the first-line treatment for my stage 3b non—small cell lung cancer. He chose chemotherapy despite the fact that my tumors had been tested for PD-L1, and my results indicated that I was a good candidate for an immunotherapy treatment. Dr. G was a very good oncologist in many respects. He fought right with his patients, motivating them to overcome often daunting cancers. I was impressed by his enthusiastic manner rivaling many talented motivational speakers one day after he encouraged me following an extremely difficult round of chemotherapy. I also saw the situation as an interesting irony.

Dr. G never forgot that I had expressed an interest in what he thought of as the new treatment of the day, immunotherapy. He directed me to a consultation with a local expert in the most recent immunotherapy trials for Imfinzi. My cancer treatment journey continued from mid-2018 to the early 2020s. After two lung surgeries, I would go on to receive chemo and radiation before Imfinzi.

Then earlier this week, I read an article in the Winter issue of CURE® magazine entitled, “Lung Cancer: 10 Commonly Asked Questions.” With the exception of question number one, which focused on post-treatment monitoring (annual surveillance scans were recommended), I had very little understanding of the questions asked. Having stayed involved — primarily as a volunteer — in the lung cancer community, I was astonished that my knowledge of the latest medical breakthroughs was behind the times. I was astonished by how much research, development and treatments had changed since my diagnosis; it was certainly a learning experience for me.

In reading the most frequently asked questions of lung cancer patients diagnosed in January of 2025, I also became more sensitive to my oncologist’s experience with me in the fall of 2018.

There will always be a gap between the time an oncological researcher in a lab discovers the chemical formulation that will lead to a new cancer therapy, and the time that therapy is actually put in use for a patient with cancer. But there are frequently other gaps in the process, and even sidesteps, some of which are detrimental to patients whose lives are not being saved, but others may be advantageous to more successfully meet their needs.

I have a cousin, who two years ago was treated with chemotherapy, surgery and additional chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. He was deemed in remission a year and a half later, but he was only briefly there, before the number of cancer cells in his body began to rise. At that point biopsies indicated that his cancer was no longer stage 2, but was restaged to level 4. As of now, L has almost reached remission again. L’s doctor is a young, high achieving, very knowledgeable oncologist, and he is keeping on top of all the latest cancer discoveries and treatments, and passing them on to L, who, is thrilled by his doctor’s care. L is in his early 60s, was in excellent health when diagnosed, and continues to keep in great shape. He wants the latest treatment there is to offer.

However, I recently met a woman who has undergone significant emotional trauma in her life, including the loss of her daughter to lung cancer at the age of fourteen. Recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer herself, she is suffering from depression and is being tormented by the thought that she was a bad mother. A good oncologist for her would not necessarily be the one most up to date on the latest research or the most promising treatments, whether or not she has had a chance to research their effectiveness. The best oncologist for her would likely have an excellent bedside manner and choose therapies for her patient that have the most manageable side effects.

Every oncologist is not equally up to date on the latest treatments; a particular doctor may or may not be the best at deciding the most appropriate treatment for his or her patient. Another oncologist could be the most experienced with the different therapies but not as open-minded regarding a patient’s strength in coping with the challenging side effects connected with the drug he has in mind. One is not necessarily a better doctor than the other. And what about the possibility of the best doctor for the patient based on personality?

There are so many ways to choose a good doctor. In my experience, and in talking to current and former patients, I’ve noticed that even spiritual preferences can make a significant difference. It is so important to ask your doctor good questions. Your oncologist will prove to be an extremely important person in your life.

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