Second Opinions on Your Cancer Diagnosis or Treatment: Do You Need One?

“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care,” National Cancer Institute chief of surgery, Dr. Steven Rosenberg, tells SurvivorNet. “Finding a doctor who is up on the latest information is important, and it’s always important to get other opinions so that you can make the best decisions for yourself in consultation with your care providers.”

National Cancer Institute chief of surgery, Dr. Steven Rosenberg, offers advice on seeking a second opinion

A second opinion gives you the chance to explore other therapeutic options. Another doctor may offer a new perspective on your cancer, and possibly recommend treatments that are different than what the first doctor you saw suggested.

Related: Surviving Cancer Surgery: New Research Says The Hospital You Choose For Your Cancer Surgery Could Make a Life-Or-Death Difference

Getting another opinion may also help you avoid doctor biases. For example, some surgeons own radiation treatment centers. “So there may be a conflict of interest if you present to a surgeon that is recommending radiation because there is some ownership of that type of facility,” Dr. Jim Hu, director of robotic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center, tells SurvivorNet.

Other reasons to get a second opinion include:

• To see a doctor who has more experience treating your type of cancer
• You have a rare type of cancer
• There are several ways to treat your cancer
• You feel like your doctor isn’t listening to you, or isn’t giving you good advice
• You have trouble understanding your doctor
• You don’t like the treatment your doctor is recommending, or you’re worried about its possible side effects
• Your insurance company wants you to get another medical opinion
• Your cancer isn’t improving on your current treatment

How Valuable Are Second Opinions?

Very valuable, research finds. A second opinion could change the course of your treatment, or even your diagnosis. In a study conducted at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, a second opinion led to a different diagnosis for 43% of breast cancer patients who received one. The findings suggest that getting a second opinion is not only helpful, but it can affect the diagnosis.

The importance of getting a second opinion: Ovarian cancer survivor Tarra Lessard shares her story

Seeking advice from a different doctor can also help ease any fears you might have about whether you’re on the right treatment path. In another study, more than one-third of cancer patients sought a second opinion, and nearly 80% felt more assured after doing so.

How to Seek Out Another Opinion

Depending on the cancer center you visit, the process of getting a second opinion could be streamlined. Multidisciplinary cancer centers offer a variety of interventions — surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, etc. — under one roof. There, you may be encouraged to meet with several doctors during the course of the diagnostic process.

If you don’t have the benefit of being at one of those centers, ask the doctor who diagnosed you for a referral. Don’t worry about hurting your doctor’s feelings. Oncologists are used to having their patients ask for second opinions. In fact, many of them welcome it.

Related: Seeking Care at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

Ask an oncology social worker at your current hospital to help you navigate the process of getting a second opinion. You can also seek out another opinion on your own, by searching for cancer specialists in your area through an organization like the American Society for Clinical Oncology.

For your second opinion, consider seeing a doctor who has a different specialty than the person who first diagnosed you. If you saw an oncologist the first time, you might visit a surgeon, radiologist, or medical oncologist the second time around.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to stop at a second opinion. Provided that you have the time and financial resources, you may want to go ahead and get a third or a fourth opinion. Just don’t get so many opinions that your treatment options overwhelm you.

With each new doctor you visit, bring a copy of your:

• Pathology report from your biopsy or surgery
• Surgical report
• Imaging tests
• Treatment plan that your current doctor recommended

Will My Insurance Cover the Cost?

Most health insurance companies will cover the cost of a second opinion. Still, it’s a good idea to find out if yours does before you visit a new doctor.

Ask your insurance company how much of your visit will be covered (consultation, tests, etc.), and what you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Also make sure the doctor you plan to visit is in network. Otherwise, you could wind up with unexpected bills.

What to Do With Your Second Opinion

If the opinions of the doctors you see are in alignment, it will serve as reinforcement that your first doctor was correct. If they differ, you may need to dig a little deeper to figure out which of the recommended treatment options to pursue.

Ask each doctor how they arrived at their recommendation, and what research supports it. Find out if they’re willing to review your case together and discuss their suggestions. You might also ask a third expert to weigh in.

Make sure that, no matter which doctors you end up seeing, you feel completely comfortable with the diagnosis and recommendations they’ve given you before you start on a treatment.

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