Few appointments in your life will seem as important as the first time you meet with your cancer doctor. Here is where you will learn more details about your diagnosis, your route to recovery, and the expert team that will be guiding your treatment.
Preparing for Your First Visit
Once you have scheduled your appointment with HOAA Gadsden Cancer Clinic, you may want to call your health insurance provider to discuss what your healthcare plan covers. Since there can be some anxiety associated with your first visit, you may also want to prepare a list of questions to ask your provider. You’ll want to take full advantage of your time with your provider so that you leave feeling armed with a better understanding.
Fill out the new patient paperwork located below completely. This will speed up your wait time the day of your visit.
Fill out the new patient paperwork located below completely. This will speed up your wait time the day of your visit.
On the day of your visit, make sure to bring your new patient paperwork, insurance cards and driver’s license along with a complete list of your medications. It’s also very important that we have access to any images, lab results, and notes from previous physician visits. When you schedule your first appointment, the HOAA patient services representative will discuss the process of sharing that information with our offices.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
At your first visit to the HOAA Gadsen Cancer Clinic, a provider will talk in-depth with you about your diagnosis and what treatment options are best for you. We will review your medications and medical history, discuss your symptoms, and conduct a physical exam.
The oncologist will study your test results and decide if additional testing is necessary. The oncologist may decide to order labs, imaging, or a biopsy.
The oncologist will study your test results and decide if additional testing is necessary. The oncologist may decide to order labs, imaging, or a biopsy.
Your HOAA team will talk with you about what stage your cancer is in and where it is located in your body. Next steps may include chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
Whatever course you and your cancer team determine is best, you can rest assured that our experienced cancer specialists will be by your side throughout the process.
If you are being referred for a benign blood disorder, we will follow similar steps including physical examination, review of medical records, and order additional testing if necessary.
Whatever course you and your cancer team determine is best, you can rest assured that our experienced cancer specialists will be by your side throughout the process.
If you are being referred for a benign blood disorder, we will follow similar steps including physical examination, review of medical records, and order additional testing if necessary.
