Iconic NBC journalist, former host of NBC Nightly News, and multiple myeloma survivor Tom Brokaw has some advice for people going through cancer. His biggest piece of wisdom is to stop seeing a doctor just because you like them, and make the tough calls when it comes to choosing the doctor who has the right skill set for the kind of treatment you need.

“I think that we have to change the mindset of a lot of patients. And get tough, frankly, about changing that mindset. I know you love your doctor, I know you think he’s a great guy, or she’s a great person,” Brokaw told SurvivorNet. “The fact is unless they’ve got the skill set, they can be a bastard, but if they’re good at what they’re doing, go to them!” he says. “That’s what you have to learn to do. You have to learn to go make a tough decision about something.”