Find a hematologist

How to find a hematologist that is right for you

Finding the right doctor is never easy, especially for people who have been diagnosed with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). Your general practitioner may have never seen a case of essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), or myelofibrosis (MF). Your local hematologist may have limited firsthand experience with MPNs.However, as an MPN patient, it’s critical to find a healthcare practitioner who understands your disease. At some point, you will need to be seen by a physician who specializes in myeloproliferative blood disorders.The American Society of Hematology offers a convenient and helpful way to search for treatment facilities by region and specialty.While it’s important to find a hematologist that understands the various approaches to managing an MPN, you should also relate to your physician on a personal level. If you feel like you need a second opinion, you should not hesitate to seek one.

Questions to ask your hematologist

After you have identified a hematologist that may be right for you, the next step is to ask the right questions. A brief selection of questions you should ask your hematologist include:

• What is my exact diagnosis?

• Did I test positive for any mutations?

• What kind of genetic testing can you offer me?

• What is my plan for managing this in the short and long term?

• What kinds of clinical trials, if any, am I qualified for?

• How many MPN patients do you treat now?

• What kind of lifestyle changes should I make to deal with symptoms?

• What treatments am I a good candidate for, and why?

• What are the side effects of my treatment options?

• If you are of childbearing age, how should I manage my family planning?

• Should I be using birth control?

• Should I stop using birth control?

• What should I tell my immediate family about how this will affect my life and theirs?