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How and Why to Get a Second Opinion About a Cancer Diagnosis

It's a good idea to get a second opinion at any critical decision point during cancer treatment. You'll almost certainly wish to speak to a second oncologist, just to get a check on the overall treatment plan. But it's also important to make sure you're hearing from all disciplines, because there can be a surprising amount of disagreement among cancer specialists about which approach to take, depending on the perspective of each person's discipline. If your doctor refers you to a surgeon, talk to a nonsurgeon as well. If you're referred to a radiation oncologist, talk to a surgeon too.

It's particularly important to get a second opinion in cases where the doctor says that surgery and/or radiation is enough and not to bother with chemotherapy, as this is an area where there's considerable controversy, and treatment protocols are changing rapidly.

Many doctors will refer you for a second opinion themselves if you ask, or they'll agree to discuss the case with the specialist you choose. It's important to note, though, that some types of insurance, such as HMOs, are more restrictive about covering second opinions than others. Look into the coverage limits before seeking multiple second opinions.