Comments on: Not enough patients get a second opinion

By: cptmac

cptmac — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:27:00 +0000

When I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer, the initial docs gave me no hope. One surgeon even shot me a dirty look. Iknew I would never set foot in his office ever again.

I was thankful that I have high self-esteem. I did a lot of research and found a place that was right for me. I am now in my fourth year of being disease free.

But truly, I think one of the reasons the statistics are so low is, how many people seek a second opinion when they have sprained their ankle? Stage IV cancer, I would hope that one would seek as many opinions as possible.

By: Everything Changes

Everything Changes — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:57:00 +0000

I write about cancer in young adults. I always stress that patients not only seek a second opinion upon diagnosis, but at any point throughout their treatment and follow-up care.

I would have had three extra surgeries by now had I not done so myself. My doctor is among the top in the country in his field, but as another comment noted, it is a matter of having an additional perspective, another set of eyes.

I'd run from any doctor who looks down upon you for getting another opinion. No matter how arrogant my doctors were, they always were curious what another doctor thought about my case.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:09:00 +0000

Then he wouldn’t be cutting on this doctor.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:20:00 +0000

I had a very bad reaction from a doctor when I asked for a 2nd opinion regarding a proposed surgery. I think it depends on the doctor…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:09:00 +0000

I think anybody with a blood cancer, particularly one of the less common types should seek a second pathology.

Many of these treatments burn bridges to other treatments. You want to get your best shot the first time out.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:01:00 +0000

Second opinions are very much underutilized–by both doctors and patients. They perform a great service for both. Not just to evaluate the advisability of a proposed procedure, but in any case where the treatment is not progressing as hoped. For some chronic conditions, not only a second opinion, but sequential consultations every year or so are advisable.

The consultant need not be some super-expert with different or additional training. The value lies far more in having a second pair of eyes look at the case with a fresh perspective. In certain situations, it is not expertise that is called for as much as fresh objectivity. This would certainly apply where the question is one regarding the appropriateness of controlled substances or the doctor-patient relationship.