Choosing a doctor for mesothelioma and asbestosis treatment

Although there will be a team of people helping you during your illness, you will probably want to choose one doctor as your Primary Care Physician (and many insurance plans require this). There are a number of specialists who focus their practices on helping patients like you who have mesothelioma. See the list of these U.S. mesothelioma specialists here.

You may choose as your Primary Care Physician (PCP) your family doctor or internist, or even a pediatrician, gynecologist, nurse practitioner or other health professional. Your PCP should:

• Provide your basic care (including teaching you how to maintain good health as well as treating routine illnesses like the flu);
• Make referrals to specialists as you need them;
• Maintain records of any and all of your health problems, what mesothelioma or asbestosis treatments you receive, and what medications you use;
• Teach you how to stay well, recover from illness, and/or if you have an ongoing condition, care for yourself in your day-to-day living;
• Coordinate all aspects of your care including hospital and specialty services.