How to Find a Cancer Doctor

Cancer changes your life and the lives of those around you. Finding the right cancer doctor (called an oncologist) and treatment facility is an important step to getting the treatment and support you need.

Doctors specialize in different types of cancer and treatment methods. It’s important for you to find a doctor with experience treating your type of cancer. You also need to feel good about the doctor you choose. You’ll be working with this person closely as you make decisions about your treatment.

Your primary care doctor can suggest cancer specialists. Or, you may be able to get a recommendation from a friend or family member. Also, your local hospital should be able to provide you with a list of specialists who practice there.

You can check with your local or state medical society, which may maintain a list of doctors in each specialty of cancer care. A nearby medical school may be able to suggest cancer specialists as well.

NIH’s Finding Health Care Services webpage provides a list of several online directories to cancer specialists. Visit www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/managing-care/services to find this and other cancer resources.