ONE of the more important specialist doctors to help women journey through the pain of breast cancer is an oncologist.

Dr Daniel Vorobiof is one of the specialists who work as an oncologists at the Sandton Oncology Centre as its director.

Q: WHAT DOES AN ONCOLOGIST DO?

A: An oncologist is a specialist in the treatment of cancer.

When a patient has been diagnosed following the operation then they are referred to an oncologist to determine treatment.

Q: WHAT ARE THE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT BREAST CANCER?A: There are lots of misconceptions about breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a treatable and curable disease if caught early. It is not an infectious disease and cannot be cured by sangomas.

Q: WHAT INFORMS THE DECISION TO GET A MASTECTOMY?

A: The surgeon will talk to the patient and inform them about what kind of surgeries to have.

Sometimes they consult us (oncologists).

We have discussions with patients and give them the best option for their circumstances.

Breast cancer is the name of one disease but there are many stages and characteristics of the disease.

Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIATION?

A: Chemotherapy is the use of drugs.

Radiation is the use of high volume X-rays to sterilise the breast tissue.

Both are different and sometimes a patient would need both chemotherapy and radiation.

Chemotherapy is effective in the treatment of a wide variety or range of cancers.

• This article was first published in the printed newspaper and eEdition on 31 October 2012. Click on this link to view the eEdition