When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, the flood of questions can feel paralyzing: What happens now? Who do I talk to? Am I making the right decisions? In this insightful conversation, Dr. Gina Siddiqui is joined by Dr. Tom Roberts—an oncologist at Harvard Medical School and the Center for Advanced Head and Neck Cancers—to share a behind-the-scenes perspective on what truly defines excellent cancer care.
Drawing from years of clinical experience treating complex cases, Dr. Roberts offers practical guidance on navigating a new diagnosis, building a comprehensive care team, seeking second opinions, and finding the balance between hope and medical reality. This discussion is an invaluable resource for patients, families, and clinicians seeking clarity and structure in an often overwhelming landscape.
According to Dr. Roberts, the most emotionally taxing phase of the cancer journey often isn’t the treatment itself—it’s the ambiguous period that follows the initial diagnosis.
“Everyone wants answers immediately,” he explains, “but early on, many of those answers just don’t exist yet.”
He emphasizes the importance of patience, tempered by proactive planning: building the right care team, understanding what testing needs to be done, and preparing for a process rather than a quick fix.
Many patients focus solely on finding the best individual doctor, but Dr. Roberts stresses that high-quality cancer care is built around a collaborative team that supports the patient from multiple angles.
A strong clinical care team typically includes:
-Medical oncologists, who oversee systemic treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies
-Radiation oncologists, who deliver precision-focused treatments to shrink or control tumors
-Surgical oncologists, who perform biopsies and remove tumors when surgery is indicated
But the team doesn’t end with credentialed professionals. Dr. Roberts underscores the vital role of family members, close friends, and caregivers—individuals who attend appointments, ask thoughtful questions, take notes, and help translate complex medical information into practical steps.
“No one gets through cancer alone,” he notes. “And often, patients don’t realize how much support they’ll need until they’re already deep into treatment.”
These support figures help manage the logistics of daily life—whether it’s transportation, medication management, or flagging overlooked symptoms—and often become the patient’s most trusted advocates.
Dr. Roberts has observed consistent habits among patients who achieve the best possible outcomes:
- They become highly informed about their specific diagnosis
- They engage respectfully but critically with their medical team
- They utilize support groups and patient advocacy networks
- They strike a thoughtful balance between asking questions and trusting clinical expertise
Still, he cautions against the pitfalls of misinformation. While some online resources are excellent, others spread myths or promote unproven strategies. “There’s good information out there,” he warns, “but there’s also misleading—and even dangerous—advice.”
This conversation highlights the layered, often non-linear nature of cancer care—underscoring the value of proactive planning, collaborative decision-making, and grounded expectations. Whether it’s the importance of second opinions or the nuance involved in interpreting clinical research, Dr. Roberts offers a clear message: informed, supported patients are empowered patients.
As the discussion shifts toward prevention and life beyond cancer, Dr. Roberts shares simple but impactful advice: wear sunscreen, avoid tobacco, limit alcohol, attend regular screenings, and stay connected with your primary care physician. Prevention isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency and awareness.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, caring for a loved one, or simply taking your health seriously, this conversation offers a framework for moving forward with clarity, courage, and care.
