2nd Opinion Before Cancer Surgery
When someone finds out that they have a serious condition such as cancer it is normal for them to be in disbelief. Their initial reaction might be denial. Most of them will want a 2nd opinion, hoping that the first doctor was wrong. This is, however, rarely the case. After the initial shock dies down and the patient realises the situation he is in, it still is a good idea to consult another doctor. If the cancer will require an operation, it is especially recommended that the patient gets a 2nd opinion before cancer surgery.
2nd Opinion before Cancer Surgery - Doctor-Patient Relationship
The biggest misconception is that if the patient gets a 2nd opinion then he doesn’t trust his doctor. This is not the case and most doctors even suggest one. The relationship that is established between doctor and patient is very important. They need to trust and help each other out in what arguably could be the worst time in the patient’s life. If there is ever the case that the patient doesn’t trust his doctor then he should just ask for another one.
It is important for the patient to know what guidelines to follow to maintain a healthy relationship. His body will start going through a lot of changes. He needs to know which ones are to be expected and which will constitute a medical emergency. The doctor must be made aware of everything. Not only of every change that is happening with the patient’s body, but also about the habits of the patient. Especially the bad ones, like smoking for instance.
The patient must understand that while he is in the hospital the doctor will not be able to attend to him all the time. There are others just like him that need his attention but there are other people that are there and can help out: the nurses, mostly, but the hospital can also have patient service representatives on staff.
Reasons for a 2nd Opinion before Cancer Surgery
If a patient is scheduled for an operation then there are plenty of reasons to seek out a 2nd opinion before cancer surgery.
- Confirmation. This is for personal reasons, mostly, but it helps the patient cope with the diagnosis. Most people when hearing they have cancer will hope that the doctor is wrong.
- Seeking specialist help. There are plenty of cases that deal with rare and hard-to-treat types of cancer. In these situations it is recommended to consult with a doctor that specialises in that particular type of cancer because he may be able to offer more information than a general oncologist, as well as additional treatment methods.
- The health insurance provider. Most insurance companies require a 2nd opinion before they approve the treatment. This usually means checking with a pathologist who can confirm the tests and lab reports. He can either be independent or employed by the insurance provider.
- Having terminal cancer. When someone has terminal cancer it means that there are no treatments available. These patients will often consult with an expert in their type of cancer in hopes of extra methods to treat or at least manage the cancer. These doctors can sometimes provide additional treatment methods or even enrol the patient in clinical trials.