Are other cancer survivors struggling with unsupportive care teams?

Many cancer survivors share similar frustrations with care teams that don't seem to listen or stay current with research. Finding providers who truly understand the patient perspective can be challenging, but it sounds like you've identified some good ones to keep on your team. Your experience highlights an important issue that affects many people navigating cancer care - you're definitely not alone in feeling this way.

I was diagnosed in January 2020, mid COVID. My care team tells me what to do and I do it but it is difficult to actually talk to them. I send messages via the portal but I wouldn't say we are communicating a lot the nurses respond to my messages and I try to ask most questions during my scheduled appointments. I'm still here so I've just decided to trust the process.

I have used alternative healing methods andI don't find them to be welcomed by the physicians.

Suzanne — My experience exactly matches yours, except that I stopped trusting the process in the last months of 2025, and on 1/02/2026 made first contact with concierge medicine. Unlike my 2.5 years in conventional medicine, concierge listens to and seems to respect my opinions and choices. I started on a slightly aggressive and risky treatment, and in 7 weeks started feeling and being better, after feeling and being steadily worse for the previous 22 months. Even if conventional medicine is right: that I lose a few years of longevity, I accept that. But all the recent scientific evidence says conventional is wrong. I don’t care. I’ve chosen quality of life over quantity of life—something conventional medicine didn’t allow me to do.

I understand where you are coming from. Could you explain concierge medicine please? Thx

“Concierge” means you go outside the “conventional” system of providers-patients-insurers and pay entirely out-of-pocket, direct to providers, for your health care. In my case, I did a sliver of concierge for only one form of treatment: testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), because conventional providers refused to prescribe it due to its perceived riskiness … even though recent scientific evidence discredits the risk in my specific form of prostate cancer. I regard TRT as a life-saver because it has ended two years of castration, restored sexuality and libido, rebuilt lost muscle mass and strength, and terminated suicidal impulses. Conventional medicine wouldn’t let me have that, leaving concierge as my only alternative.

I was first diagnosed in 2021. My oncology team is stellar. They listen, allow my input, respect me and my wife fully and have to this point provided logical care options including referrals to a prostate specialist. I have been very satisfied with my care to this point!

Anthony, I envy your team. I can speak similarly about one of my current 7 doctors. I would especially treasure “logical care options,” but the logic escapes me and I’ve had to research and pursue options entirely on my own.

Dave, do you know of a local prostate cancer support group in your area? I belong to one in my city in Washington State. I was dragged in kicking and screaming by a friend of mine. It has been a godsend as there is a lot of experience in the group with a lot of knowledge that has helped me on my journey. You should seek out a group if possible. Local knowledge is very helpful.

Hi , my name is Rick I’m new here so I will tell a little about myself. I am a 67 year old man. It all started with lung cancer in 2021. They cut out part of my right lower lobe to get rid of it and then I went through radiation treatment and they.actually cured it from my lung. I lived what I thought was free of cancer life for a few years. Then in 2024I was driving and started to make a left turn onto a side road and right as I started into the turn I had a seizure and then I blacked out after starting into the turn went halfway down the block hit two parked cars, flipped my Jeep and totaled it out and they had to pull out of the back of my Jeep to get me out and then an ambulance was called to come pick me up and take me to the hospital. At the hospital they did a scan of my brain and they found a tumor growing on the back of my brain in the vision area and we went back in the hospital. Had the tumor removed and then radiation treatment got rid of the most of it. I was hoping it was free but now having pop-up every once in a while and had to have more radiation, which I’m going again in two days to get radiation treatment for six days and hopefully I get rid of that spot cause it’s giving me terrible headaches that’s a bit too much. I guess about me but that’s a little about me.sorry for going on.

I have the same response, No, No, and No

Diagnosed prostate cancer. Went through radical prostatectomy.. 8 months later now talking radiation treatment so yes.. not happy

Reply to Anthony S: Yes I have a local support group, but it’s sponsored by my urologist’s corporate office, which isn’t independent enough for me. Reply to Rick: Your case makes mine a walk in the park. May the Creator’s care and protection be with you.