You may have to re-open these discussions if your situation changes. Your treatment will require you to meet a number of doctors from different fields of medicine. Choosing a specialist Choosing the right specialist can be difficult. It sometimes comes to a balance between convenience, accessibility, cost, expertise and acceptability. There is evidence from overseas which suggests that women who see doctors who treat breast cancer frequently survive longer than those who see doctors who treat breast cancer rarely.
Some women are willing and able to travel long distances for specialist care.
Others either can not travel or prefer to remain at home, close to family and friends. Some women prefer specialists who deal with them openly as equals, while others prefer their doctors to take the lead. You should discuss your preferences with your general practitioner before any referral. Your GP usually knows you well and can help meet your requirements for treatment. There is still a considerable variation in the way specialists within a field manage breast cancer.