CONSULTATION INFORMATION
Your First Consultation
Our oncology centres provide therapy in a comfortable and caring environment, administered by a team of professionals who all work in synergy to ensure each patient enjoys compassionate, quality care. Given our many years’ experience we fully understand that patients are often anxious before their first treatment, and we try to make your appointments as seamless and stress-free as possible. As a starting point, we encourage you to bring a close friend or family along with you, especially for your first treatment or consultation.
It is important that you supply the following documentation:
- All previous records and reports that you may have
- Your identity document
- Your medical aid card
At your first consultation your doctor will review the results of investigations confirming your diagnosis as well as your previous and current medical history. Be sure to give us a list of all current medication (conventional and alternative/natural), any chronic medical conditions, and any serious prior illnesses. If a family member has ever had cancer or any other illness, it is important to mention it to your doctor.
Your first consultation will focus on your diagnosis and the treatment options available to you. Depending on your options, you may be referred to other oncology–related specialists at ABJ.
When a particular treatment is recommended, the treatment will be discussed in broad terms and a more detailed conversation will take place during your follow-up appointment. You are welcome to ask any questions that you may have – we are here to put you first and to ease any concerns you may have.
After the first visit you will have some time to digest, think, and obtain more information. During your second visit your doctor will discuss your treatment in more detail and you will be given the time to ask any additional questions you may have.
Your doctor will then send your treatment plan to the authorisation department, who will liaise with your medical aid for approval. You will be kept up to date with the outcomes and once approved your treatment can begin.
Before starting treatment, your doctor will once again, run through your treatment, paying special attention to the management of any possible side effects. You will also be given contact numbers to call during and after hours.
Follow Up Consultations
For patients who do not require treatment or have completed treatment, follow-up appointments are aimed at ensuring your continued, optimal, health and wellbeing. Your follow-up schedule is determined by the type of cancer and the risk of recurrence. These consultations may be needed for a number of years after your initial diagnosis or after treatment. They are done to monitor for any signs of recurrence of cancer, to screen for the development of new cancers and to check-up on the long-term side-effects of treatment.
These follow-up consultations may be done with your treating doctor or general practitioner at ABJ. Please note that depending on your medical aid, you may need to apply for authorisation before each follow-up visit.