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Sunday, 19.05.2013, 07:21

When you need to learn a second opinion for cancer, and why?


Learn a second opinion - your patient's right

Once you have had cancer and your doctor has prescribed treatment, you can still unsure: what if my doctor is wrong? No matter how much you like or how much you trust your oncologist. Of course, you're interested in, not missing any details, and whether there is any new treatment. If you have any doubts, refer to another doctor to get his opinion.

Experts say that patients often turn to another doctor. "Previously, cancer patients are often worried because of the treatment to another doctor" - Eiji says Terry, head of cancer information, the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, USA. "But today they feel more comfortable." You, too, do not worry. This is your treatment and your life. Learn a second opinion - your right to the patient.

In addition, cancer - a serious disease, and therefore part of another specialist makes sense. When you want to buy a new car, you do not buy it from the first seller, which will meet. You shop for goods. And if you have been making efforts in the case of buying a car, not whether you should go, at least as carefully to the treatment of cancer?

Experts say that doctors should never interfere with you if you want to learn a second opinion. On the contrary, they should encourage you.

"Physicians want patients and their families feel comfortable during treatment," - said Harold J. Bersteyn, MD, an oncologist Cancer Institute Dana-Farber in Boston, and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. "Often a second opinion is really very useful because it helps to calm down."

Thus, you need to know about the opinion of another doctor? This question is answered professionals.

Why do I need to know a second opinion?

What good is that you learn a second opinion? Jean C. Buckner, MD, Head of the Department of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic (Mayo Clinic) in Rochester, Minnesota, United States, partly answers this question: "Everyone makes mistakes sometimes." He was aware of cases where a second opinion changed the treatment, prognosis and even diagnosis.

While there is always a chance that a second opinion completely change the treatment, experts say such cases are very rare.

"Get a second opinion can be useful for many reasons, even if the physician follows standard procedures for diagnosis," - says Bernstein. "He was able to confirm that you are moving in the right direction, but may also suggest new directions. He may be invited to participate in clinical trials conducted in cancer centers. In the treatment of patients with cancer, the experience is of great importance. Turning to other doctors to learn their opinion, you will be able to use their vast experience in the treatment of cancer. "

Even though most doctors will confirm what you already know them anyway opinions are very important. They will help you gain peace of mind.

"Sometimes, if a person learns a second opinion, he was haunted by all these" what if "- says Buckner. "And what if I assign a different treatment? And what if I went to another doctor? If a person gets a confirmation of another physician, it can really help.

You know that the opinions of many experts on what treatment you need are the same. You feel more confident that did the best choice of all.

Who needs to know the opinion of another doctor?

It is always good to learn a second opinion. But there are times when it is absolutely necessary:

If you do not trust your doctor, or do not find common language with him. It is important to maintain a good working relationship with your doctor. If they did not work, find another doctor with whom you will be more comfortable.

If the doctor is not enough experience in treating your type of cancer. Ask your oncologist about whether he has a lot of experience treating your type of cancer. If not, you need to go to another doctor to get his opinion. According to Bernstein, experience in the treatment of cancer is crucial.

If you have a rare form of cancer. If you have breast cancer or prostate cancer, which is quite common, there are many doctors who can help you. But perhaps the conventional oncologist never faced with some rare cancers. The difficulty is not simply a lack of experience. "The less often this type of cancer, the more likely that he will differences in how to treat it" - says Buckner.

If your doctor says there is no treatment that can help you.

Learn a second opinion is usually not difficult. Ask your oncologist or family doctor to refer you to another specialist.

You can also ask friends and relatives if they can recommend you to anyone. You can also find a specialist in the nearest cancer center.

Are there times when you need to view two more specialists?

If the two opinions are better than one, it is logical to assume that three, four or even five views even better. However, experts say that in most cases it is not. If the two doctors agreed, it makes no sense to look for other doctors who are more likely to say the same thing.

But according to Terry Eiji, in rare cases be useful to know the opinion of third specialist. Sometimes the opinions of experts differ on what treatment is best to assign. For example, patients with prostate cancer may receive different advice from the urologist and oncologist. According to Terry Eiji, in these cases the expert opinion will be useful to third. "The opinion of this expert will help you to bow down to a particular approach to treatment."

Will your doctor unhappy if you go to another doctor?

You may worry that by referring to another specialist, you will offend your oncologist. I think this is rude?

Experts say that this is not the case. Moreover, if your doctor will react badly, it could be bad sign. "I tell patients that if their doctor is concerned that they want to learn a different opinion, then it must be named exactly" - says Buckner.

Conversely, physicians should welcome the fact that the patient wants to know the opinion of another doctor. A good doctor wants you to be confident in his care. He does not want you to have the feeling that you are forced to treat him.

"When you ask about the possibility to go to another doctor, your doctor should say," Good idea! Here is a list of experts "- said Bernstein. "That's what should be his reaction."

So never be afraid to ask doctor to refer you to another specialist. In the end, when you learn a second opinion, your relationship with your doctor soon improve, rather than vice versa. You will be able to start treatment, confident in their doctor, knowing that you have the best possible care.