Get a second opinion: Your doctor will understand and you’ll feel much better
Feelings of uncertainty can add to the stress of a cancer diagnosis. To help you gain some peace of mind, oncologists encourage patients to get a second opinion from another doctor. Knowing that you left no stone unturned to achieve an accurate diagnosis and that you have identified the best treatment option available to you can help reduce your stress.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are several other reasons why you might consider getting a second opinion:
You think your doctor is underestimating how serious your cancer is.
Your doctor can’t positively diagnose what is wrong with you.
You have a rare or unusual cancer.
You think another treatment might be available.
Your doctor is not a specialist in your type of cancer.
There is uncertainty about the type or stage of cancer you have.
You have more than one treatment option.
You’re having trouble understanding your doctor.
Your insurance company asks you to get another opinion before you start treatment.
“You may feel uncomfortable telling your doctor that you would like to seek a second opinion. Just remember, it is very common and most oncologists understand your need for clarity, especially if they themselves are not absolutely certain about either your diagnosis or the best treatment path,” said Srilata Gundala, MD, a hemotologist and oncologist who owns and operates Hope & Healing Care in Hinsdale, Illinois. “Just let your doctor know that you respect their opinion, but that you want to make absolutely certain you make the right choice before proceeding.”
How to get a second opinion
The first thing you may want to do is to ask your doctor for recommendations of doctors they trust. Your doctor may even help you arrange an appointment with another specialist, or your doctor’s practice may employ a navigator who can help you out.
The organization Cancer Care also employs professional social workers who can help you deal with any issues that might come up, free of charge.
Also, if you know anyone who has gone through treatment or has a family member who did, you can ask them if they recommend anyone. Friends and family with experience can have useful personal recommendations.
The following can also help you find another doctor to consult:
When you meet with the second doctor, you will want to be prepared to answer all their questions. The better informed their opinion is, the more accurate and helpful it is bound to be. The concepts that can make for a successful first visit with your original oncologist hold true for meeting with a doctor for a second opinion.
You will want to:
Bring a copy of your medical records. (Ask your doctor’s office or hospital records department for copies for yourself and any doctor you are consulting)
Bring a list of your current medications.
Discuss the diagnosis and treatment recommended by your first doctor.
Bring a list of any questions you have.
If possible, bring a family member or friend for support.
Take notes, or record the talk, if allowed.
I got a second opinion. Now what?
If the second doctor disagrees with the first, you have options.
You could go back to your first doctor and discuss the second opinion. You may decide together to change your treatment based on new information.
You could seek the opinion of a third doctor to help you decide which option is better for you.
You could decide on your own which option or opinion is the one you trust, based on the arguments and evidence the doctors present to you.
Just remember, seeking a second or third opinion does not mean that you have to switch doctors. It is just a tactic to help you make sure you’ve made yourself as educated as you can be on what is happening to your body and what you are most comfortable with doing to treat it. You get to decide which doctor will treat you.
Written By: Ken Harris
Reviewed By: Srilata Gundala, MD
