Who is On Your Colorectal Cancer Treatment Team?

If you’ve been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, you’ll soon have a team of specialists caring for you who are well-informed about the treatment process and what you can expect. The primary physician overseeing your care will be a medical oncologist specializing in colorectal cancer. The medical oncologist is supported by others who are an important part of the treatment process.

Your Colorectal Cancer Treatment Team

Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers has an experienced colorectal cancer treatment team dedicated to finding the best course of action for you. Treatment is personalized for each patient based on several factors including the cancer’s stage and whether it’s the first time for treatment of this cancer. RMCC also participates in clinical research studies that open additional treatment options for some patients offering the most recently developed treatment plans. 

Most patients start with the medical oncologist for their treatment planning. From there, many other specialists and other members of the cancer care team will be included in the treatment process.

• Triage Nurse: These nurses work with the medical oncologist and the APPs to make sure the treatment plan is being executed. They’ll discuss any reactions you may have that might make the doctor consider a different treatment path. They also provide support for questions about side effects, patient concerns, and prescriptions.
• Infusion Nurse: Most colorectal cancer patients receive infusions for chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. An infusion delivers the drugs into the vein through an IV. These are given in the infusion room at the cancer center and are overseen by an infusion nurse. They know how to help you feel more comfortable during your treatment which can last from a couple of hours to all day. They’ll also monitor you for side effects during treatment that can be addressed.
• Radiation Therapist: If radiation therapy is a part of the colorectal cancer treatment process, the radiation therapist will help to position you in the exact spot you need to receive radiation treatments. They’ll also help you to feel as comfortable as possible during the treatments. Most patients who receive radiation therapy go 5 days a week for several weeks, so you’ll get to see your radiation therapist quite often.
• Social Worker: A social worker may help you find resources or assist with daily challenges you face while working through treatment. They can help you with your emotional and psychological concerns while coping with colorectal cancer. They can arrange for counseling, housing, childcare issues, nursing home placement, and community resources.
• Patient Financial Counselor: This person has a good understanding of what will be covered by insurance and can help you with finding resources to cover the costs of treatment if needed. Talk with them about payment planning and ask questions about what’s covered through your insurance.
• Other Cancer Center Office Staff: While working through treatment and appointments, you will encounter other professional staff members who will assist with scheduling and supportive care.