IMPORTANCE OF SECOND OPINION FOR CANCER PATIENTS
Life changes the day you learn you have cancer. It continues to change as you receive treatment.
Did you get a second opinion upon your diagnosis? If you haven’t, you really should find someone to give you one. It may be nearly identical to your first one, or one that varies and allows you to consider other options.
Second opinions are common. It makes perfect sense for a cancer patient to request one. It’s probably more surprising if you don’t get one. And don’t worry that your doctor will be offended. They’re accustomed to patients seeking additional input about their health.
There’s no denying that cancer is a devastating disease to fight. It’s also challenging for doctors. Consider the common cold. It doesn’t even take a doctor to diagnose it, tell you it will ultimately go away and recommend an over-the-counter drug to ease symptoms. Cancer is far more difficult to diagnose and manage. With technological advances for treatment and more options than ever before, you shouldn’t limit yourself, especially if better opportunities for potential recovery are available.
By getting a second opinion you should feel more confident that your diagnosis is a correct one. Of course, if the two opinions vary substantially, then you may need an additional opinion.
Some patients may question the way their doctor is treating their cancer. This doesn’t mean the doctor’s plan of attack is incorrect, but as a patient you have that right, especially if you don’t feel like your cancer is responding to the treatment as you were told or expected. Furthermore, if you have a rare form of cancer, one that doctors don’t know much about, it’s a good idea to learn as much about it and have other professionals share their opinions about it and treatment options.
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