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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a doctor for Breast Cancer, book an appointment, and see the doctor within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of doctors for Breast Cancer in your area who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for doctors for Breast Cancer who take your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find doctors for Breast Cancer and book appointments instantly. You can search for doctors for Breast Cancer or any other visit reason. Then, enter your desired appointment location and choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for Breast Cancer doctors on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see doctors who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Breast Cancer doctors with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Breast Cancer doctors who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
Breast Cancer doctors on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Breast Cancer doctors who offer video visits.
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Breast Cancer doctors who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Breast Cancer doctor who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Breast Cancer doctors. Many Breast Cancer doctors offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
An oncologist is a specialized healthcare provider with expertise in diagnosing and treating cancer. They are the central figure in a patient's cancer care journey, assuming various crucial roles.
Firstly, they are responsible for accurately diagnosing the type and stage of cancer. Following diagnosis, oncologists engage in in-depth discussions with patients about available treatment options, outlining each approach's potential benefits and side effects. These dedicated professionals oversee and coordinate care throughout the treatment process, ensuring that the chosen therapy plan is administered effectively and monitoring the patient's progress.
Even after the completion of treatment, oncologists continue to play a vital role by managing post-treatment care and conducting necessary follow-up assessments.
As medical doctors, oncologists serve as the primary healthcare providers for all individuals facing cancer (including breast cancer). They are experts in crafting tailored treatment plans and offering supportive care. They occasionally collaborate with other specialists like breast surgeons or surgical oncologists in cases where surgery forms a part of the treatment, such as breast cancer. They are the right medical professionals to approach if you are looking for a mammogram near you.
To become an oncologist, one must embark on a rigorous educational journey. It all begins with completing a bachelor's degree and a medical degree. Following this foundational education, aspiring oncologists choose a specialized path, such as radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, gynecologic oncology, pediatric oncology, or neurological oncology.
A three-year internal medicine residency is the initial step for those specializing in medical oncology, followed by a two-year oncology fellowship. Certification is obtained from the American Board of Internal Medicine, often covering medical oncology and hematology.
Radiation oncologists undergo five-year residencies involving a year of clinical training in various medical specialties and four years dedicated to radiation oncology. The American Board of Radiology grants them certification.
On the other hand, surgical oncologists undertake a more extended journey, encompassing five to six years of surgical residencies, accompanied by two to three years of surgical oncology fellowships.
Gynecologic oncologists follow a path consisting of four-year gynecology and obstetrics residencies and three to four-year fellowships, culminating in certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Pediatric oncologists begin with three-year pediatric residencies, earning certification in general pediatrics from the American Board of Pediatrics. They subsequently complete three-year fellowships in pediatric hematology-oncology, earning certification from the hematology-oncology sub-board of the American Board of Pediatrics.
Neurological oncologists undergo a more extensive training period, which includes residencies in neurology and/or medical oncology and neurosurgery, potentially lasting up to seven years. Subsequently, they engage in two to three-year neurological oncology fellowships and earn certification from the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties. This demanding educational journey equips oncologists with the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to diagnose and treat cancer effectively.
Breast cancer is uncontrolled growth of cells within the breast. The breast comprises three main components: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. Lobules are responsible for milk production, while ducts transport milk to the nipple, all held together by connective tissue.
Breast cancer can manifest in various forms, depending on which cells within the breast undergo malignant transformation. Most commonly, it originates in the ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma) or lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma). These invasive cancers can potentially spread to adjacent breast tissues and even distant parts of the body, a process known as metastasis.
In addition to these common types, there are rarer forms of breast cancer, including mucinous, Paget's disease, medullary, and inflammatory breast cancer. Further, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a breast condition characterized by cancer cells that are confined to the duct lining, not having invaded surrounding tissues. Still, it may progress to invasive breast cancer.
Breast cancer can manifest through various signs and symptoms, necessitating vigilant awareness. These indicators may include alterations in a breast's size, shape, or appearance. Another possible sign is the presence of a breast lump or thickening, which feels distinct from the surrounding tissue.
Changes to the breast skin, such as dimpling, should also be noted. Additionally, a newly inverted nipple or crusting, scaling, or flaking of the pigmented area of skin (especially surrounding the nipple areola or breast skin) could signal a concern. Redness or pitting of the breast skin, resembling the texture of an orange peel, is another potential symptom to be aware of. Recognizing these signs early can be crucial for timely medical evaluation and potential breast cancer diagnosis.
It is essential to be aware of the risk factors of breast cancer to be vigilant in its prevention or early detection. These factors include having a history of breast cancer and inherited genes that increase cancer risk. For example, if you've had breast cancer in either one of your breasts, you have a greater risk of developing cancer in the other one. Also, certain gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can greatly increase your risk of breast cancer and other cancers. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned here, you should consult an oncologist near you immediately.
Other risk factors for breast cancer include:
1. Radiation exposure: If you have received radiation treatments in the past to your chest as a child or young adult, your breast cancer risk increases.
2. Age: Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age.
3. Family history of breast cancer: If your mother, sister, or even your daughter has been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past, particularly at a young age, you too have a greater risk of breast cancer. However, most people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history.
4. Obesity: Being obese increases your risk of breast cancer.
5. Early menstruation: Beginning your period before age 12 increases your risk of breast cancer.
6. Late menopause: If you begin menopause at an older age, you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
7. Delayed childbirth: Women who give birth to their first child after they turn 30 may have an increased risk of breast cancer.
8. Nulliparity: Women who have not experienced pregnancy face a higher risk of breast cancer when compared to those who have had one or more pregnancies.
9. Postmenopausal hormone therapy: Women who have used combined hormone therapy medications containing both estrogen and progesterone for managing menopausal symptoms are at an elevated risk of developing breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer decreases significantly when women stop taking these medications.
10. Drinking alcohol: Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.
11. Being female: Women are much more likely than men to develop breast cancer.
12. Personal history of breast conditions: Having undergone a breast biopsy that identified lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical breast hyperplasia indicates an elevated risk of developing breast cancer.
Finding the right oncologist in your vicinity is crucial, especially when you suspect breast cancer symptoms. Zocdoc is a platform dedicated to connecting patients with top-notch healthcare providers. To initiate your search, simply click the 'find' button on the website and input your specific condition, preferred appointment time and location, and insurance details. Zocdoc also offers an insurance checker tool to verify plan acceptance.
The platform provides filtering options for a tailored search, including provider availability, specialties, gender preferences, hospital affiliations, languages spoken, and whether they treat children. Each provider's profile on Zocdoc showcases their professional background, qualifications, certifications, memberships, and licenses. Additionally, you can access patient reviews and ratings to identify highly regarded oncologists in your area. Zocdoc verifies these reviews so that you can make an informed decision.
Zocdoc offers the flexibility to schedule both in-person and virtual appointments. For virtual consultations, simply look for the purple-colored video button on the provider's profile.
Booking appointments for a visit or getting a mammogram near you through Zocdoc is user-friendly, completely free, and ensures your information remains secure.
In the most recent data from 2020, the country recorded 239,612 new cases of female breast cancer in women, with 42,273 women succumbing to this disease. This translates to a rate of 119 new female breast cancer cases per 100,000 women and 19 fatalities for every 100,000 women due to this cancer.
Between 2016 and 2020, a total of 1,248,749 new cases of female breast cancer were documented in the country, resulting in 210,505 female fatalities from this cancer during that period. This corresponds to an incidence rate of 127 new female breast cancer cases per 100,000 women and 20 deaths per 100,000 women due to this cancer.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the country, with only heart disease surpassing it. Shockingly, statistics attribute one of every five deaths in the country to cancer.
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.