A Cancer Patient’s Guide To Getting A Remote Second Opinion
With the rapid advancements in what we’re learning about cancer, and how it’s being treated, it’s common for patients and their caregivers to feel unsure, afraid and helpless after a cancer diagnosis.
One of the ways cancer patients can advocate for themselves is by seeking a second opinion. A second opinion of your cancer diagnosis provided by a specialist in your specific type of cancer can help give you peace of mind and eliminate some of the uncertainty you may be feeling.
Why Get A Second Opinion After A Cancer Diagnosis?
A second opinion of your cancer diagnosis and suggested treatment strategy has nothing to do with your medical team and everything to do with you, your peace of mind and your options. One of the ways you can advocate for yourself as a cancer patient is by being involved in the decision-making of your care. The first and possibly most critical decision is: who will you choose to be on your medical team?
Sometimes we get lucky with who we see first; other times it’s just not the right fit. Sometimes we have to search to find the right fit. And that is okay. It should be someone who really knows your unique cancer and respects your goals – both treatment and quality of life.
A second opinion can help confirm your diagnosis and original treatment strategy or it can offer you an alternative, perhaps more promising, treatment plan.
With this additional information on your side, you can take action and make decisions based on your goals. Our Survivor Advisory Council created this guide just for you. A second opinion saved some of our lives!
How Can This Resource Help?
SURVIVEiT®’s Remote Second Opinion Guide can point cancer patients and caregivers in the right direction. We encourage all cancer patients to advocate for themselves and want to empower you to do so by providing you with tools to help equip you to be the best advocate you can be!
This second opinion guide will help you identify:
- What you need to know about the process and things to look out for
- How to get started
- What you can expect from a remote second opinion
- Possible outcomes you can expect
- How to obtain a remote second opinion
Who Is This Resource For?
The Second Opinion Guide is for cancer patients who have been recently diagnosed, cancer patients who have started or completed treatment but never got a second opinion, and cancer caregivers who are supporting their loved ones.