1. How can I make an appointment? 
2. Who can I talk to with questions about my bill? 
3. Do I need to register before coming to Roswell? 
4. How long will I have to wait for my first appointment? 
5. What should I wear? 
6. How do I get to Roswell Park Cancer Institute?
7. Are there local accommodations for my family?
8. What is cancer screening?
9. Where do I go to get more information about cancer?
10. What is a Radiation Oncologist?
11. What is the role of the Medical Physicist in my treatment?
12. What is a Radiation Therapist?

ANSWERS

1. How can I make an appointment? 
   If you know that you need an appointment in the Radiation Medicine Department you may call us directly at (716) 845-3173/3174. If you need  a general referral to Roswell Park, please call 1-800-767-9355 or fill out a Become a Patient form.
   
2. Who can I talk to with questions about my bill?
   If you have questions regarding your Professional or physicians part of your bill contact Paula Westpfahl at (716) 845-8286. If your question concerns the Technical or hospital portion of your bill contact Denise Stachowski in patient accounts extension 3411.
   
3. Do I need to register before coming to Roswell? 
   If you are a new patient at Roswell, please arrive one hour prior to your appointment time and go to our admissions office to register. If your insurance company requires a referral, please check with your primary physician to be sure a referral is in place prior to your appointment.
   
4. How long will I have to wait for my first appointment?
   It is the Department’s policy in scheduling consultations that every patient be seen within 72 hours. Any patient requiring emergency care will be seen immediately. If a patient or referring physician requests an earlier appointment, the clinic clerk is authorized to schedule the consult earlier.
   
5. What should I wear?
   You should wear loose fitting clothing of the type that are easy to change in and out of. You will be wearing a gown during your treatment.
   
6. How do I get to Roswell Park Cancer Institute?
   From points east, west, north and south of Buffalo: Take the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) to Exit 51W (Route 33 West). Exit from Route 33W at Locust St. Turn right at the first traffic light (Michigan Avenue). Continue on Michigan Avenue for two blocks to Carlton Street. Turn left at the traffic light signal. The parking ramp entrance is immediately on your left. Click here for Directions.
   
7. Are there local accommodations for my family?
   Click here for a list of accomodations near Roswell Park.
   
8. What is cancer screening?
   Screening for cancer means looking for cancer before there are symptoms. Scientists have studied environments, lifestyles and patterns of cancer in the population to learn which people are more likely to get certain types of cancer. This information helps doctors identify people who should be screened for certain types of cancer, what type and how often screening should be done. Screening for some cancers is important because it can help the doctor discover cancer early and treat it successfully.
   
9. Where do I go to get more information about cancer?
   Please contact the Roswell Park Information service at 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org. Questions are answered in English or Spanish and all calls are confidential.
   
10. What is a Radiation Oncologist?
    Radiation oncologists are physicians who are responsible for the medically appropriate and technically correct radiation treatment of patients with cancer. All Roswell Park Cancer Institute Radiation Oncologists are board certified in therapeutic radiology by the American Board of Radiology, licensed by the New York State Department of Health, and comply with the American College of Radiology standards of care.
    
11. What is the role of the Medical Physicist in my treatment?
    Our Board Certified Medical physicists are responsible for clinical quality control programs for major radiation-producing equipment items. They monitor the measurement and analysis of radiation data for each individual patient's treatment.
    
12. What is a Radiation Therapist?
    Radiation Therapists plan and deliver accurately, the prescribed course of radiation therapy. Here at Roswell we have 26 full time Radiation Therapists who are all board certified.