By Patient Advocate Foundation
Decisions concerning healthcare are among the most important in a person’s life. Many people confronted with a cancer diagnosis feel that they must make a decision and begin treatment as soon as possible. Though this may be true in some instances, taking the time to educate yourself about your disease, seeking a second opinion—or perhaps even further opinions—and weighing your alternatives is a very reasonable course of action. Decisions regarding healthcare should be made only after you have been thoroughly informed about the details of your diagnosis, prognosis, the treatment plans available, and whether the care will be provided at a local or national facility. Proactive decision-making gives a greater degree of control over treatments and will allow you to seek the most appropriate treatment for your diagnosis.
Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation to ensure access to care, maintenance of employment, and preservation of financial stability. PAF has increasingly seen issues related to patient uncertainty when seeking second opinions, and we would like to share some steps to consider.
Patient Rights
One of the most important rights of every patient is the ability to obtain a second opinion regarding a diagnosis. And yet statistics show that more than one-third of U.S. adults will never seek a second opinion, and almost one-tenth of newly diagnosed patients do not understand their diagnosis. Becoming educated about your diagnosis is critical as you plan your treatment and work with your healthcare team. Now, when many cancers are more treatable than ever before, it’s essential that patients also understand the importance of their right to an accurate diagnosis and to a comprehensive review of all the treatment options. Only when you’re armed with all the information and all the options can you benefit from the many advances being made.
Why You Should Get a Second Opinion
A different doctor may come up with a different diagnosis or offer a different opinion as to treatment options. Factors that may influence a doctor’s opinion include the technology that is available to that doctor, where the doctor received his or her training, and his or her experience in dealing with that particular diagnosis.
Beyond the basic desire for more information and a review of different treatment options, some of the reasons that inspire patients to seek a second opinion include: an initial diagnosis by a non-cancer specialist, an apparent lack of treatment options, a diagnosis with a rare cancer, residency in a rural area that may not see a large volume of cancer patients, a need for specialized treatments, and questions about the operability of a cancer.
While patients might worry that getting second opinions will be awkward or might seem like “bad etiquette,” the reality is that getting a second opinion is standard practice in cancer treatment. You should not worry about hurting your doctor’s feelings. Your primary focus should be finding the most appropriate care and the best information to manage your diagnosis so that you can feel confident about your care. By communicating openly with your primary physician, you will be assured that all the necessary records are exchanged, and you will find that, in general, the process will be smooth and should be free of tension. In addition, by acting promptly to secure a second opinion, you will ensure that your treatment and recovery are not unnecessarily delayed.
Any worries regarding the awkwardness of the situation should certainly not stop you from pursuing a second opinion, especially as studies have shown that for 30 percent of patients who sought second opinions for elective surgery, the two opinions were not in agreement. In addition, 18 percent of those who were required to obtain a second opinion by their insurance company also found that the opinions of two doctors differed.
Ultimately, all the effort will be well worth any challenges that arise. When you have taken the time to get a second opinion and the second doctor’s opinion is the same as or similar to the first doctor’s opinion, you will be confident in the care you’re receiving. Because serious illnesses like cancer may require prolonged treatments, this confidence in having chosen the best treatment for your particular situation will be important throughout your journey. And, if you receive different opinions, you will proceed knowing that you have been educated and have made an informed decision based on more than one expert’s opinion.
