Second opinions and why they are a must-do.
Article at a Glance
- Why get a second opinion when I get diagnosed, you ask?
- So how exactly do you go about getting a second opinion?
- A few key steps to keep in mind as you prepare to get a second opinion.
“If the world thinks you’re not good enough, it’s a lie you know. Get a second opinion.”
— Nick Vujicic
One of the most important steps you must take as you begin your cancer journey is to incorporate the ongoing practice of getting a second opinion. Patients are sometimes hesitant to do this because they may see it as questioning their doctor’s knowledge or guidance or patients sometimes simply do not know how to go about obtaining another doctor’s perspective. In this article we will share a bit about the importance of getting a second opinion and how to do so, not just at the start of your diagnosis, but throughout the treatment process, especially at key junctures along the way.
Why get a second opinion when I get diagnosed, you ask?
Well, for starters, when you are first diagnosed, part of being a prepared patient, as we discuss in our article titled You can own your cancer journey or help someone own theirs, means taking time to seek a second and even third opinion on your diagnosis and treatment options. It is extremely important to speak with other doctors to ensure as many clinical eyes as possible are giving you guidance and perspective on what treatment path is best for you. It also enables you to learn about what other doctors or medical groups are doing with clinical trials that may be available for you to participate in because some medical groups are further ahead than others. Thirdly, getting additional opinions allows you to better understand the steps and options of your specific treatment, the overall timeline and what it will mean for you and your family. Becoming prepared from the start is key in setting the right steps in motion for your complete cancer journey and to achieve the best results for you.
So how exactly do you go about getting a second opinion?
Most large oncological practices, such as The Cleveland Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and MD Anderson just to name a few of the leading groups, will gladly enable new patients that are seeking second opinions to visit with one of their physicians either in person or virtually. Now more than ever before, the ability to see a doctor virtually has opened a vast doorway for all patients seeking second opinions or additional perspective on their treatment options. I did this at the outset of my diagnosis and have continued to get second opinions using virtual visits as my treatments have changed and as the overall prognosis evolved.
And so here are a few key steps to keep in mind as you prepare to get a second opinion.
1. Who to contact? Identify the organization from whom you’d like to get a second opinion. If you choose The Cleveland Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, The Mayo Clinic for example, they all have patient services offices that will help get you started. For a listing of their phone numbers please see our resources page. When you contact their patient services office, you will need to advise them that you are seeking a second opinion from one of their oncologists. As you prepare for this call, it is helpful to begin gathering a few pertinent pieces of your medical information.
2. What information will you need to have/prepare? In order to begin the process, you will be asked to provide your most current medical records, most current test results (including pathology data) for all scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, Pet/CT scan -- any tests that were done related to your diagnosis. If you do not have access to your records electronically, most doctor’s offices will either send them to you (upon request) or send them to the doctor/organization from whom you are seeking the second opinion. In either case, it will require your consent and will likely have to go through the medical records department of your doctor’s office. If you have access to your medical records electronically, most of the time these can be downloaded, and you can subsequently upload them to the doctor/organization from whom you are seeking a second opinion. But again, it is best to obtain your records as you prepare, such that you do not lose time.
3. Do you tell your doctor that you are seeking a second opinion? Yes. Transparency with your primary doctor is always the best course and establishes, from the outset, an open and honest relationship, based on mutual trust and respect. Most doctors expect for patients recently diagnosed with cancer to seek a second opinion as it is part of being a diligent patient and fully engaged in the treatment and healing journey. Remember, the most important thing is your health. You need to be unapologetic about getting as much information as possible and as many perspectives as possible so that you can feel informed and confident about the path you choose for your treatment. If your doctor does not understand that, know this, they should not be your doctor.
4. What if opinions differ? If the perspectives of the treatment path are diametrically opposed, you may want to get a third opinion. Again, keep in mind you are doing this so that you can be fully informed and make the best decision for you. Listen to all the facts, asks questions as to what is informing the recommendations, probe as to which course would lead to the best results and best quality of life, seek to understand the efficacy and duration of the treatment plan, and once you have all of this insight, make the decision that is best for you.
As with many aspects of managing your treatment journey, the process of initially getting a second, or third opinion can feel overwhelming and frustrating. But, if you prepare, plan your questions in advance, listen to understand options and ask the doctor for their best recommendation, you will begin to feel more informed than when you first began. And each step you take will enable you to feel more confident in the direction in which you are going. I know that was the case for me, and so it can be for you.
In fact, once you have gone through the process of getting your initial second opinion, you may want to consider getting second opinions throughout the treatment journey, especially if your treatment needs change or if there is a change in your overall prognosis. I found this to be a good check and balance as I continued to navigate multiple treatment regimens over the past two and a half years of active chemotherapy. Additionally, getting second opinions along the way help to reinforce how you feel about your treatment journey because the secondary doctor will often share how other patients in similar treatments are doing and again, provide additional perspective on your ongoing journey.
It’s simply a healthy thing to do.
Key Takeaways
And so as always, we leave you with just one thing...if you remember nothing else from this article, know this: being prepared and informed by at least a couple of different medical perspectives will help you successfully take the wheel of your treatment journey and steer in the direction that is best for you. Be informed and be well.
With love,
Amelia O.
