The Importance of a Second Opinion
A diagnosis of cancer can be a critical event in a person’s life because the disease carries the threat of premature death, pain and disability. Today, many cancers can be cured or palliated for extended periods of time if a person receives the right type of treatment, based on the type of cancer and the treatment options available.
Two of the most important things a newly diagnosed cancer patient can do -
- Become educated about their disease;
- Seek a second opinion.
Patients used to rely on the recommendation of their primary care physician, but now, the Internet has allowed people to conduct thorough research online for cancer information. There are three good websites that educate patients and provide comprehensive disease-specific information.
Each individual needs to gather information on the nature of their type of cancer and the various ways it can be treated. This information educates patients and enables them to ask their physicians the right questions about their cancer treatment so that they can understand the options presented to them by their doctor. However, the main source of information about treatment comes from the doctor who will be treating you. For various reasons, it is frequently advantageous for newly diagnosed cancer patients to get another opinion about their disease and how it can best be treated. Second opinions are not just limited to cancer, as it is commonplace in most practices of medicine.
What is a Second Opinion?
Getting a second opinion involves obtaining a review of the cancer diagnosis and treatment recommendations from a doctor who specializes in treating cancer.
Either the patient or the primary care physician can start the process of getting the second opinion to a second physician or to a multidisciplinary team of experts in a cancer center. The doctor and his/her staff will review the person’s specific disease extensively based on tests and reports that are given to them by the primary physician , as well as meeting the patient and conducting their own tests. After that, the doctor then can communicate their opinion regarding treatment to both the patient and primary physician. At that time, the patient can decide if they would like to continue on with treatment from their primary physician or if they would like to start treatment with the physician who gave the second opinion.
A second opinion should be independent and may be best performed by a physician or team of physicians who do not have a close relationship with the physician giving the second opinion.
Who Should Get A Second Opinion?
Cancer patients who feel that they may not fully understand their diagnosis and treatment options as well failure of a comfortable rapport with the primary physician are reasons to get a second opinion.
Patients and relatives need to realize that second opinions are a normal part of cancer management and they should not worry about hurting the feelings of the primary physician. If one decides to obtain a second opinion, it is important to communicate with the primary physician so that they can obtain the health information needed for review as well as to keep the primary physician informed.
If you would like to receive a second opinion from the physicians at Patients' Comprehensive Cancer Center, please call one of our Patient Navigator at (972) 395-1010.
Sometimes, you will find that your second opinion
should have been your first.
Contact Us with any questions or concerns.
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