Mark’s comment:
When my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer twenty years ago, we knew that there was a really good clinic (hospital) to go to for treatment in our area, so we went there. But my mother interviewed a number of doctors at the clinic until she found one she was comfortable with—the decision had nothing to do with me. As a physician’s widow, she was fairly well equipped to do her own questioning, so she did it and I didn’t try to interfere. Back then there weren’t that many cancer specialists, and she questioned the clinic’s doctors very thoroughly. With my friends Frank and Janet, who were diagnosed more recently, we did some Internet research and asked people familiar with cancer treatment to recommend someone.
There are a lot of big-name cancer treatment centers in the Boston area, so we started with those. Frank ended up switching from his first doctor to someone at a renowned cancer specialty hospital and was much happier with the treatment he got. As for Janet, it turned out that the surgical oncologist that Janet’s doctor had referred her to was the same man who came most highly recommended by a brain surgeon my wife knew, so that worked out pretty well. Some people are comfortable with the treatment options presented by the first physician they consult. However, patients get second opinions from other doctors for many reasons, and seeking another opinion should be viewed positively by the original doctor.
You may seek another opinion due to insurance company requirements, because your loved one is diagnosed with a rare or advanced cancer, or simply because you feel most comfortable exploring more options. You may wish to seek a second opinion from a specialist at a large cancer research center. Some people decide to have their treatment at the cancer specialty hospital, but others get second opinions and then decide to undergo treatment locally, depending on the recommendations and treatment options. Many oncologists believe that a second opinion should be standard for every new cancer diagnosis.
Seeking a second opinion can be helpful when deciding between or among different treatment options. Be sure to take all medical records with you, including copies of X-ray films, pathology/diagnostic reports and/or other information about the cancer (or suspected) diagnosis, or the person’s medical history. If the information or recommendation provided by the physicians is confusing, discuss your concerns and questions with the involved physicians openly so that they can address your questions up-front. If necessary, you may wish to seek multiple opinions; be careful, however, that medical treatment is not delayed too long since the timing of medical intervention is some-times an important factor in determining its appropri-ateness for use.