The Importance of Getting a Second Opinion

Second opinions are an important part of the diagnosis of many cancer patients. They help to calm down and better educate patients, their families and even the doctors themselves. Getting a second opinion can be a way to rule out or avoid confusion.

Research has shown that 80-90% of people who received a second opinion gained a refined or revised diagnosis. By receiving it, patients invest in education about their disease and gain the opportunity to see it from a completely different point of view. If your second opinion confirms what your doctor has told you, you will feel better about your treatment decisions. If the second opinion differs from the first, you will learn about other treatments, possibly less accessible and possibly more expensive but more effective.

Why is it worth getting a second opinion?

After receiving your diagnosis, you may not always want to accept right away the first treatment option offered to you. Before the final decision is made, it is worth finding out as much as possible about the type of cancer and all available options and methods of its treatment. Getting a second opinion can be part of this process. Even if your doctor is an outstanding specialist, you shouldn't feel bad trusting your gut feelings and seeking another opinion before making any important decisions. Don't hesitate to tell your doctor that you will get a second opinion – this is common practice and can be helpful for them too.

Where to get a second opinion?

Most often, a second opinion is given by another specialist, but this is not the only option. Moreover, it does not have to come directly from another doctor. You can also get it even in the comfort of your own home by purchasing a 3D visualization of your tumor. How does it work? All you need to do is send the DICOM file with the test description. Next, the radiologist will personally review it and transform it into a three-dimensional image, which will then be sent to you. This form will give a better overview of the situation and will allow you to accurately determine which type of cancer you will face. This can help both you and your doctor better understand what exactly is going on in your body and make more informed decisions about the right treatment plan.

What do we gain?

There are many benefits to getting a second opinion:

• will give a new view of the diagnosis;
• it will help you gain peace of mind and give you mental comfort;
• It will support further education about your cancer;
• it will allow you to learn about other therapies that can be used to treat cancer;
• will help you make a conscious decision about the treatment course.

When reaching for a second opinion, it is also worth considering options that are available outside of public health care. A broad view of the neoplasm will allow you to better understand it, verify the possibilities and choose the appropriate treatment. All the aforementioned benefits make a second opinion something that is not only worth but also needs to be considered.