Question: Do I Need to Get a Second Opinion?
I was just diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. All of my friends and family are urging me to get a second opinion. Do I need to get a second opinion?
Answer: Getting a second opinion is highly recommended when being diagnosed with cancer. Friends and family are usually the first ones to urge a loved one to seek a second opinion out of concern and care.
Why People Get Second Opinions
People seek second opinions for a variety of reasons, including:-
Feeling uncomfortable with the diagnosis or needing confirmation.
It is common to feel doubt when diagnosed with a serious illness, such as cancer. Getting a second opinion can clear up any doubts you may have or provide you with the confirmation you need to proceed with treatment.
- A requirement from the health insurance provider.
Most insurance companies require a second opinion before treatment is approved by them. In many cases, it is a matter of a second pathologist reviewing reports and labs. This is either done by a pathologist employed by the insurance company or another independent pathologist.
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Seeking the medical opinion of a specialist in their type of cancer. This is especially true in rare or hard-to-treat types of cancer. Patients that are concerned with recommended treatment often seek a specialist, because they may be more aware of other available treatment methods or clinical trials than a general oncologist.
- Being diagnosed with an incurable or terminal type of cancer. When you have been told that your cancer is terminal or incurable, it means that there is no treatment available that will improve or cure the condition. People who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer often seek the help of a specialist, who may be able to provide them with additional treatment methods or clinical trials.
