24 hours ago Objective: To examine breast cancer patients' reasons to seek a second opinion (SO) and the underlying variables. To find out more about the outcome of the SO, the perceived helpfulness and the effect on the physician-patient relationship. >> Go To The Portal
“Regarding a breast cancer diagnosis, a second pathology opinion can be valuable to confirm the diagnosis,” says Dr. Maggie DiNome, director of the Margie Petersen Breast Center at John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California. A second doctor will review your breast tissue slides and come to their own conclusions about what they reveal.
Certainly a second opinion should be obtained before any definitive surgery, like a mastectomy, or a treatment with substantial side effects, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. People should not worry too much that a second opinion on their breast pathology will delay treatment.
Reasons for getting a second opinion include: You want to be sure you have explored all options. You think your doctor is underestimating how serious your cancer is. Your doctor is not sure what is wrong with you.
Some people find it hard to tell their doctors that they’d like a second opinion. Remember it is common for patients to get a second opinion, and doctors are comfortable with the request. If you are unsure of how to begin, here are a few ways to start the conversation: “I’m thinking of getting a second opinion. Can you recommend someone?”
Your doctor calls them a pathology report. The biopsy is when the doctor takes a sample of the cancer tissue they think is cancerous from your breast to examine it under a microscope. The pathology report gives a profile of your cancerous cells and the cells of nearby tissues.
If someone receives a diagnosis of breast cancer and wants to ask for a second opinion, the sooner the better. Certainly a second opinion should be obtained before any definitive surgery, like a mastectomy, or a treatment with substantial side effects, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Getting a second opinion will help you feel more empowered and confident in your treatment decisions. It is important that you receive cancer treatment you understand and are comfortable with, and a second or even a third medical opinion can help you do that.
A review of 20 quantitative studies of patients with cancer seeking second opinions found that the rates of seeking second opinions ranged between 1 and 88% [1]. Patients with higher levels of education were more likely to seek second opinions than other patients [1].
Doctors are usually happy to help patients arrange a second opinion. Your doctor may even recommend it when the best treatment approach for your cancer is not clear. You should seriously think about getting a second opinion if: You have been diagnosed with a rare type of cancer.
Whether your doctor recommends surgery, makes a cancer diagnosis or identifies a rare disease, there are many benefits to getting a second opinion. These benefits include everything from the peace of mind and confirmation to a new diagnosis or a different treatment plan.
When Should You Get a Second Opinion?Your health insurance requires a second opinion.Your diagnosis isn't clear.You have a lot of medical conditions.The treatment offered is experimental, controversial, or risky.You have a rare condition.You have a life-threatening condition.More items...•
Getting a second opinion is standard, and experienced doctors know and expect it. This doesn't mean that every doctor will be kind when you request a second medical opinion. A few may get offended, but it may be best to take your business elsewhere if this happens.
Patients seeking a second opinion sought to gain more information or reassurance about their diagnosis or treatment. While many second opinions confirm the original diagnosis or treatment, discrepancies in opinions had a potential major impact on patient outcomes in up to 58% of cases.
Do I Need a 2nd Opinion? 10 Questions to Ask Your DoctorWhy is this treatment the best option for me? ... What is your experience with this treatment? ... Are there any alternative options? ... What will happen if I wait or don't have the treatment? ... What are the risks? ... How long can I expect the benefits of this treatment to last?More items...•
Making sense of the second opinionMake an appointment with your first doctor to talk about the second opinion.Ask both doctors to explain how they arrived at their treatment plan.Ask them how they interpreted your test results.Ask what research studies or professional guidelines they consulted.More items...•
Professionals in many medical specialties offer second opinions, including in pathology.
You can ask them why you have a particular treatment and whether there are any other options for you. They can explain to you why a specific treatment is best for you. After you have spoken to them and if you still feel unsure, ask your doctor to refer you for a second opinion.
What to expect during a breast cancer second opinion. During a second opinion appointment for breast cancer, the oncologist will perform a thorough examination. He or she will review breast imaging, such as your mammogram or breast MRI, and pathology reports that you provided.
Finding a provider you’re comfortable with is important because you may end up being with that oncologist for five or more years as your treatment journey progresses.
A note about breast cancer in men. Fewer than 1 percent of men are diagnosed with breast cancer. Men tend to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a later stage, possibly because they are less likely than women to assume that a lump in the breast may be breast cancer.
Treatment for breast cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and/or some form of precision medicine, such as immunotherapy or targeted therapy . These therapies may be used in combination depending on your specific situation.
Knowing that your diagnosis is accurate and that you and your current doctor have chosen a treatment that’s right for you may help reduce your anxiety.
If your cancer has come back, you may want to seek a second opinion about the recurrence. Science has evolved considerably over the last two or three years. You may now qualify for a clinical trial, or there may be new treatment options available for you now that weren’t available just a few years ago.
Getting a second opinion is common. When you schedule an appointment, the provider’s office should be able to give you a list of instructions to follow to prepare for your appointment. But here are some steps you can take in advance to make the process easier: 1 Verify that the doctor you're seeing and the facility where you may be treated are in-network with your health insurance provider. If, after your second opinion, you decide you want that care team managing your cancer care, you’ll already know it’s an option. 2 Make sure you know the type and stage of your cancer diagnosis. Of course, staging may be preliminary until it can be verified with a biopsy or additional images. 3 Obtain your pathology reports, slides and medical records. These will either be given directly to you, or they may be forwarded directly to the second opinion facility. 4 Arrange for someone you trust to go with you. It helps to have someone else listening, taking notes and providing you with some support. 5 Bring a prepared list of questions to ask the doctor during your visit.
A second opinion can accomplish a number of things. It can: 1 Confirm your original diagnosis and treatment plan 2 Give you more detail about the type of breast cancer you have and stage it's in 3 Offer different or additional treatment options 4 Suggest a different diagnosis 5 Recommend an alternate treatment plan
After biopsy results. Your doctor calls them a pathology report. The biopsy is when the doctor takes a sample of the cancer tissue they think is cancerous from your breast to examine it under a microscope. The pathology report gives a profile of your cancerous cells and the cells of nearby tissues. Any difference in opinion by ...
The pathology report gives a profile of your cancerous cells and the cells of nearby tissues. Any difference in opinion by the lab technician who does the test or the pathologist who interprets the results could make a difference in your diagnosis and the treatment approach your team chooses for you. Before surgery.
There are lots of things for your team to consider before they take that step, including: Whether to try and shrink the tumor before surgery, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy.
What's a Second Opinion? It's getting another doctor, or team of medical experts, to look at your test results and medical history and give their opinion on your stage of cancer. You might also ask their thoughts on a plan for treatment. A second opinion can accomplish a number of things.
It may feel like you're doubting your doctor’s judgment. So it seems hard to ask them about a second opinion. In reality, it's a request that doctors, especially cancer doctors, hear quite often. Many times, doctors welcome input from other experts to help them give the most accurate diagnosis and decide the best course of treatment.
It’s natural to feel anxious after you find out that you have breast cancer. You may feel a need to start treatment right away, but many experts suggest that you get a second opinion. There are often different ways to look at the same information. What's more, even top-notch laboratories and doctors may miss something important or make a mistake.
Getting a second opinion means asking another breast cancer specialist, or a team of specialists, to review all of your medical reports and test results, give an opinion about your diagnosis, and suggest treatment options. A second opinion may confirm your original doctor’s diagnosis and treatment plan, provide more details about ...
Multidisciplinary tumor boards, as the name suggests, are boards made up of medical professionals from a variety of specialties within a specific cancer field (such as breast cancer), including radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, nurse navigators, geneticists, and pathologists. The experts review a person’s records and ...
Some insurance companies even require a second opinion before treatment begins. In general, delaying the start of treatment for a short time usually does not pose a risk, although you and your doctor can discuss your unique situation and decide how much of a delay is okay.
A pathologist determines the type of breast cancer and its extent. This includes the size of the cancer and whether it is still confined to the breast or has spread to the axillary lymph nodes or to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs, or brain.
In most instances, a second opinion will confirm the original diagnosis, with only minor changes of no substantial impact for that person. But about 1 to 10% of the time, a second opinion can translate into a substantial change in treatment.
That is usually followed by a breast core biopsy, in which a small sample of the breast tissue is taken and given to a pathologist. A pathologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing cancer and other diseases by examining tissue samples using ...
In clinical trials, some people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer that has come back showed a good response or no disease progression with androgen-targeted treatments, such as enzalutamide (Xtandi®) and bicalutamide (Casodex®).
Stages of Breast Cancer. There are five stages of breast cancer, ranging from 0 to IV. Your doctor will use staging information to plan the most effective breast cancer treatment for you. A pathologist’s diagnosis is the crossroads of breast cancer treatment. We evaluate the breast tissue under a microscope.
Edi Brogi says the best time to get a second opinion is soon after breast cancer is diagnosed, before definitive treatment begins.
People with breast cancer will probably never meet the pathologist who diagnoses their illness . Nonetheless, pathologists play an indispensible role in treating people with cancer. They determine the type of breast cancer and the extent of the disease and figure out its weaknesses.
Once your second opinion appointment is scheduled: 1 Call your current doctor’s office and ask them to send a copy of your medical records, test results and pathology reports to the doctor giving the second opinion. 2 You may need to sign a release giving your current doctor permission to send these documents. 3 Before your appointment, call and make sure the doctor giving the second opinion has received your medical documents. 4 Prepare a list of questions to take with you. This can help you remember everything you want to ask and keep the discussion focused on the issues most important to you. 5 Bring a friend or loved one with you to the appointment to help ask questions and discuss the answers later. Having an extra pair of ears may help you recall and understand the information. 6 Recording the discussion on a cell phone, small tape recorder or other device can be helpful (even if someone is with you at the appointment).
Give you confidence in the first doctor by confirming a diagnosis or course of treatment. Give you a different insight into your diagnosis and treatment. Increase your options for care. Give you a chance to meet with another doctor, who may be better suited to treat your breast cancer. If you’re not happy with your care or you’re not connecting ...
Before getting a second opinion, it’s best to check with your insurance company to see if there are any limits. Some policies may only cover second opinions from doctors in their own network.
Patricia Brown was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2005 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She is passionate about sharing her ability to find hope, strength and joy as she lives a lifestyle that includes cancer. Follow her journey. Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.
Less than an hour later, Dr. Alvarez shared some good news: No weekly chemo was necessary. Just a monthly chemo shot. Then, more good news: A new pathology report revealed that the cancer was estrogen-positive. This was a huge relief. It meant my tumors had receptors after all, giving me an easier treatment option.
Treatment decisions should be made after you have learned all you can about your diagnosis, prognosis, and available treatment options. This can take time, depending on the type of cancer you have. In a few cancers, there are some treatment decisions that have to be made right away.
It’s hard to understand complex information when you are anxious or afraid. And sometimes, without knowing it, doctors use words that you don’t understand. If you don’t understand something, ask your doctor to explain it to you.
Some people find it hard to tell their doctors that they’d like a second opinion. Remember it is common for patients to get a second opinion, and doctors are comfortable with the request. If you are unsure of how to begin, here are a few ways to start the conversation:
Before you start looking for a second opinion, contact your insurance company to find out what your policy covers. In some cases, you may have to get a second opinion from another doctor who is part of your health plan before the plan will pay for your treatment
Let your doctor know if you want to get a second opinion. Most doctors understand the value of a second opinion, and they are not offended when a patient wants one. They may even be able to recommend another doctor.
Although cancer patients seem to be asking for a second opinion more frequently, studies show the benefits of getting one are unclear . If the second opinion differs from the first, you may find the following tips helpful: