If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about your options. You may also wonder if you’ve been given the most effective treatment plan. Before making a decision, you must ensure you have all the important information. You should also compare all of your options. That’s why you must get a second opinion consultation from a reliable and compassionate breast cancer specialist.
What is a Second Opinion?
Getting a second opinion entails asking another team of breast cancer specialists to review your medical reports and diagnostic results to suggest the appropriate treatments. Your breast cancer specialist may ask you to undergo another round of tests, and you may need further biopsies — this might confirm the diagnosis and help them curate a personalized treatment plan.
The second opinion may confirm the original specialist’s recommendation, or it may offer additional information about your breast cancer and treatment options that you hadn’t previously considered. You can ask for a second opinion even if you’ve already started breast cancer treatment — the second doctor may recommend a more appropriate treatment plan moving forward.
Why Seek a Second Opinion
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is enough of a reason for you to seek a second opinion. If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may eventually start a long process towards optimal health and survivorship. As such, it’s perfectly okay and even advisable to get second or even third opinions before proceeding with your treatment.
In fact, your breast cancer specialist might even encourage you to seek a second opinion, and they may even recommend other specialists. Breast cancer specialists generally coordinate treatments with numerous types of doctors, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists. The breast cancer treatment process involves making numerous complex decisions, so you must have access to all the information necessary.
When to Seek a Second Opinion
- Your oncologist, surgeon, or doctor doesn’t specialize in breast cancer.
- You’ve been told there’s uncertainty about the type of breast cancer and its extent.
- Your doctor has introduced numerous treatment options, and you want more opinions on the ideal treatment plan for your specific needs.
- You’re facing communication issues with your doctor, or they’re not explaining the situation to your complete satisfaction.
- You have a rare form of breast cancer, such as Paget’s disease of the nipple or inflammatory breast cancer.
- You don’t feel confident about your diagnosis or treatment plan.
- You may need a second opinion for health insurance reasons.
- Your doctor actively encourages you to seek a second opinion.
Second Opinion in Wellesley, MA
At New England Breast and Wellness, we believe in empowering you to advocate for yourself. To that end, we believe it’s your right to seek second or even third opinions about your diagnosis and treatment options. Our breast cancer specialists will discuss your treatment options and curate the ideal patient care program based on your breast cancer type, how far it has spread, your medical history, and your preference. If you want a second opinion about your diagnosis and treatment options, please schedule an appointment at our medical center in Wellesley, MA.
