Which specialist performs PARP inhibitor therapy?

PARP inhibitors are systemic medicines taken to treat selected cancers or reduce the chance of cancer returning in particular situations. A medical oncologist checks whether the medicine fits your cancer type, treatment history, general health, and relevant tumour or inherited test results.

Monitoring may include blood tests and discussions about tiredness, nausea, appetite changes, breathlessness, infection symptoms, or unusual bruising. A pharmacist, oncology nurse, genetic counsellor, surgeon, or radiation oncologist may contribute to the plan, but the medical oncologist generally leads drug treatment decisions.

Bring a current medicine list, allergy details, previous cancer reports, and information about any family history of cancer. Ask how and when to take each dose, what to do after a missed dose, and which symptoms should be reported promptly. Do not start supplements or stop regular medicines without checking with the oncology team, because interactions and blood-count changes can affect treatment decisions.

Contact your oncology team promptly for fever, chills, new breathlessness, chest discomfort, persistent vomiting, severe diarrhoea, marked weakness, bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Seek urgent medical help for severe breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or uncontrolled bleeding. Keep taking or pausing treatment only according to the instructions given by your care team.

Ask which medical oncologist will oversee treatment, why a PARP inhibitor is being considered, whether genetic or tumour testing affects the choice, and how often blood tests are needed. You can also ask how side effects will be managed, how other medicines will be checked, and who to contact outside clinic hours.