Women Doctors for Cancer Patients

ELLENT1
ELLENT1 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have noticed a difference in how female cancer specialists treat their breast cancer patients (vs. male cancer specialists). It seems to be with a lot more of feeling at ease in talking about body parts including breasts, more ease in touching the patients, also more ease in explaining procedures and concepts to the female patient.

If anyone feels the same way I do - that the best person for the job is a WOMAN -
please let me know your thoughts on the subject.

Do you feel there is a noticeable difference whether your oncologist is a man or a woman, whether the person doing the surgery is a woman, whether your primary care is a woman who completely understands female issues (including bladder control, breast pain, hormones, etc.)?

This input is valuable to me, since I may choose different physicians for myself for next year. (female, of course)

Comments

  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #2
    Hi, EllenT
    My oncologist is a young woman who is absolutely wonderful. She is kind, caring, listens to all my concerns and always has enough time for me. I wouldn't change her for the world.

    My surgeon, a very well-qualified, top doc here in my large city, is a male. While I have absolute faith and trust in his knowledge and expertise, he isn't as emotionally connected with me and sometimes I feel like a great big baby expressing my fears and concerns. Maybe it's a gender issue or just a personality issue--I'm not sure.

    Having said all this, I am sure there are women physicians who are cool and clinical just as I am sure there are male physicians who are more sympathetic to a woman's needs.

    Good luck in your selections. It's not easy, I know.

    Hugs, Renee
  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 Member Posts: 806
    #3
    Choices
    My surgeon is a woman; my oncologist is a man; his PA is a woman. I've received wonderful treatment from all of them. I wouldn't have traded any of them. Perhaps I had a good experience with my onc because I was totally open to discussing anything on my mind with him. I couldn't afford to be shy or uncomfortable with him because my life depended on it. There was nothing I would discuss with a woman that I wouldn't discuss with a man in this situation. I was thrilled to see his credentials and that combined with his knowledge and manner were all that mattered to me.

    Marge
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #4
    I don't think gender matters at all,
    it's the connection and confidence you have with your heathcare providers. Most of mine are male.. They are kind, compassionate, caring and genuinely interested in me and my overall health and concerns. The few female providers I have are the same.

    Sue
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    #5
    sbmly53 said:

    I don't think gender matters at all,
    it's the connection and confidence you have with your heathcare providers. Most of mine are male.. They are kind, compassionate, caring and genuinely interested in me and my overall health and concerns. The few female providers I have are the same.

    Sue

    No difference
    I have had a male PCP that I have gone to for nearly 29 years.I am 49 so that is over half my life. I would not trade him for anything. He knows me, my history my family. He has never been anything but compassionate kind and caring. My medical Onc is male. He is the top Dr. for BC in this area. He is also very kind compassionate and caring. He takes all the time I need to answer questions and concerns that I may have. He is very knowledgable about BC. My surgeon was female. I really did like her and she is great, however I always felt like she was in a hurry. She always answered my questions and I trust her completely but she did seem to be in a hurry. My rad Onc. was a male and I did not care to much for him, it was a personality thing so I doubt it would have been different had he been female. I just want my Dr. to be knowledgable, kind, compassionate, and make me feel like I matter to him or her. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    #6
    Boppy_of_6 said:

    No difference
    I have had a male PCP that I have gone to for nearly 29 years.I am 49 so that is over half my life. I would not trade him for anything. He knows me, my history my family. He has never been anything but compassionate kind and caring. My medical Onc is male. He is the top Dr. for BC in this area. He is also very kind compassionate and caring. He takes all the time I need to answer questions and concerns that I may have. He is very knowledgable about BC. My surgeon was female. I really did like her and she is great, however I always felt like she was in a hurry. She always answered my questions and I trust her completely but she did seem to be in a hurry. My rad Onc. was a male and I did not care to much for him, it was a personality thing so I doubt it would have been different had he been female. I just want my Dr. to be knowledgable, kind, compassionate, and make me feel like I matter to him or her. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice

    Docs
    I agree there has to be a connection--male or female. My gyn is a woman that is very caring, my surgeon is a woman that's all business, my oncol. is a man that I love, never in a hurry and answers all my questions, my rad oncols. are males and not crazy about either one. The first one was really creepy and the second was nice enough but didn't feel comfortable with him. Now I just see my oncol. and my gyn. so I'm happy.

    Sher

    ps I just changed my PCP to a woman and saw her once--I don't think she's smart enough with cancer so I have to change again.
  • webbwife50
    webbwife50 Member Posts: 394
    #7
    I don't think gender matters
    I don't think gender matters either. I think it's in the heart. I have had both, my onc. in a wonderfull woman, but I love my plastics guy too..
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #8
    webbwife50 said:

    I don't think gender matters
    I don't think gender matters either. I think it's in the heart. I have had both, my onc. in a wonderfull woman, but I love my plastics guy too..

    I had all females and it was the right choice for me.
    I'm much more comfortable talking to and being treated by women docs. Mine came highly recommended. I'm sure there are male docs who would have been fine, but I'll stick with the women.

    Roseann
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #9
    roseann4 said:

    I had all females and it was the right choice for me.
    I'm much more comfortable talking to and being treated by women docs. Mine came highly recommended. I'm sure there are male docs who would have been fine, but I'll stick with the women.

    Roseann

    All my cancer drs. are
    All my cancer drs. are women. I go to a cancer center where all the drs. are women, surgeons, oncs and radiologists, technicians. This is their specialty. I went to male surgeon first and felt uncomfortable. This center came highly recommended by a couple of friends so I gave them a try. I'm truly satisfied with each of them. All my other drs except my diabetes specialist, are male, my primary, cardiologist, lung specialist, etc. If I don't feel confident that I'm getting the best care and information from any of them, I would find another dr, male or female. Each of us have to make a choice which is good for us based on getting the best care.
  • kjrpcb
    kjrpcb Member Posts: 41
    #10
    women doctors
    I don't think it matters. What I want in a surgeon is a highley educated person with strong hands with the ability to explain to me in laymens terms what he/she is going to do. And the ability to not sugar coat anything. I don't want to establish warm relationships with my surgeon. Like wise, with my ONC I want a doctor who is cutting edge and on top of their game. Someone who is willing to listen and very familiar with new treatments. I had a male surgeon and he was wonderful. My Onc is female not warm and fuzzy but great and she responds quickly to my emails. I feel confortable with both. On the other hand, I want a warm and fuzzy Internist (PC doctor) and I prefer board certified. Again a male but he is smart, sweet and very comforting. I feel able to discuss any issues with him. But this is the difference in the relationships I have with each of them. All good in their own way. Bottom line is that you need to be confortable with your doctor and don't be afraid to change doctors. My best
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #11
    not sure that gender matters
    My Surgical Onc is female. Med Onc is also female. Radiation Onc is male. I don't feel uncomfortable discussing anything with any of them however, my surgical Oncologist is the most warm of the three in her relating to me as a patient. The male radiation oncologist is young and very sweet but not a touchy feely kind of guy.Medical Onc is very bright and open to questions but not as warm in her relating. My Internist is probably the warmest, he is a male as is my Retinal doctor- the most empathic. Of course I have known my internist and Retinal specialist for many years. Over time. they seem to have become more understanding of me and my needs.
    Personally, I think, it has more to do with personality and our preferences/comfort levels than gender,in our choice of our doctors.
    Hugs,K
  • pbrndm5
    pbrndm5 Member Posts: 83
    #12
    gender
    Ellen
    Not sure if gender matters, but i was just dx in November. I saw 2 surgeons, one male and one female. While I thought both were very capable, I chose the female because I just felt more comfortable with her. It was more clinical with the male md and more like having a conversation with the female. MY PCP is male and he's great although I don't think he is very well versed in the subject of BC.


    I think it's just a personal preference.
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398
    #13
    Seems to matter to me
    I have had male doctors through my life and then found a woman after I had my son and thought there was something different about how we communicated period. Then cancer and the surgeons have all been male but oncologist and pain specialists all women. I also am back with a female doctor and I have to say there is just something about that caring feeling I get and I do feel like they are listening.
    I have liked most doctors I have had and their bedside manners have been good. Only one doctor a neurologist I would never go back to otherwise I think the others have done the best they can and that is truly all we can ask.
    No one is perfect and my own trust issues have to play a roll since I cannot help but remember my diagnosis of that fibrous cyst that turned out to be a spreading cancer after all. But some how one has to learn to trust and realize the worth of those who have saved their life. Not perfect but I am here and I managed to squick out my 50th year and feel that is as good as it gets.
    You should be comfortable and whoever gives you that should be your doctor. We should feel like we can talk about anything and feel like they hear us.
    Tara
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #14
    A very individual preference...
    As I've posted here on the board so very many times... What's most important - for all of us - is to find doctors we feel comfortable with, have confidence in, and trust.

    For me, personally - my number one priority is to have the best doctor(s). Credentials mean everything to me. Gender doesn't matter.

    After BC, I consolidated all of my medical care within the same network. Changed all my "other" doctors (i.e., non-onc), via referrals from my various oncologists. I highly recommend this option, if it's available. Makes everything much easier. Records are available to all via computer, etc. ... I'm not ever responsible for communication between my doctors.

    If gender is important to you; then, it is - indeed - important.

    Kind regards, Susan

    P.S.: My doctors are a mix of both men & women.

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