What if your cancer treatment plan isn’t the best one for you?
A breast cancer diagnosis often comes with a specific treatment recommendation from your care team. That’s why educating yourself—along with getting a second opinion—is crucial.
A second opinion can change your diagnosis. Don’t let treatment options go unheard.
There’s no sugar-coating it: a breast cancer diagnosis is scary. So much so, it’s understandable that you might put your trust solely in your cancer care team. But study after study proves that a second opinion can change your diagnosis or recommended treatment plan.
This journey belongs to you. Take control of it.
Upon getting a cancer diagnosis, many people will want to take immediate action and start treatment right away. While in rare cases this may be necessary, most of the time, it is not. We strongly recommend asking your doctor how much time you have to decide. In most cases, you will have time to do your own research, schedule a second opinion, and truly make a well-informed decision about your treatment options.
Why research is so important
Be aware of all your options (not just the ones your doctor is familiar with).
There are many treatment options—some of which you may not have been made aware of by your current provider. Many will only advise patients on cancer treatment options that only they can provide, or what they’re personally familiar with from their own clinical experience. It’s not malicious. It’s just the way healthcare tends to work. A second opinion can offer new options for treatment or even change your diagnosis.
It’s your health, so it’s your right
Choose a cancer care team who cares about what you care about.
Believe it or not, a good provider wants to give you what is most important to you. They want to hear about your needs, concerns and goals. So if your provider isn’t interested in those things, or doesn’t seem to have the available staff to stay organized, it’s time to find a new one. Never be afraid to ask for more information, more time, or more help.
Don’t be afraid to speak up
There are no “ignorant” questions. But doing research will give you better ones to ask.
We believe a well-informed patient is the best type of patient. It’s critical that you play a part in the decision-making process and be able to understand all of your options. In your research you will come across statistics stating the expected survival rates for specific stages of cancer. Please remember—that these are only statistics—and millions defy them daily.
Commonly asked second opinion questions
People can be hesitant to get a second opinion for a wide variety of reasons. You may be worried about offending your care team. You may think it’s an added hassle, just more paperwork, or can’t find room in your already busy schedule to have one. These are all reasonable objections, but ultimately for you and your loved ones, it’s worth your time and trouble. It could even save, or add years to your life.