To paraphrase the old saying about making a first impression, people facing cancer never get a second chance to choose their first therapy. They do, however, always have an opportunity to obtain a second opinion, regardless of whether that consultation concerns their diagnosis, the critically important choice of an initial treatment, the best approach to take if cancer progresses, or any other aspect of their care
It’s an opportunity that Denis Fitzgerald, MD, thinks many patients should pursue. “Cancer is a major health challenge for everyone it affects, and a life-or-death illness for many of those people. From that standpoint alone, it is worth seeking a second opinion if a patient has any questions or concerns about the diagnosis or recommended course of treatment,” says Dr. Fitzgerald, a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist who practices in Little Silver, NJ.
Iuliana Shapira, MD, agrees. “Cancer is a complex disease, and its diagnosis and treatment also can be complex. We have seen the number of available therapies expand dramatically in recent years, which is a wonderful development in terms of our ability to individualize treatment strategies to optimal effect, but it also makes decision-making much more complicated. Seeking a second opinion can help you learn as much as you can about your illness and your treatment options so you can make informed decisions about your health,” notes Dr. Shapira, the chief medical officer of Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), one of the nation’s largest networks of oncology specialists.
Dr. Fitzgerald, who serves as RCCA’s chairperson, notes that RCCA’s 90+ cancer specialists regularly provide second opinions to people diagnosed with all types of solid tumors and blood-based malignancies. What’s more, he adds, his RCCA colleagues are very supportive when patients under their care want to obtain a second opinion from another physician.
“Some people are reluctant to seek a second opinion for fear of offending their oncologist. I am never bothered or insulted when one of my patients wants such a consultation. Their health, even their life, is at stake, and I want them to have the benefit of various expert perspectives, and to have confidence in their treatment plan rather than any lingering concerns,” Dr. Fitzgerald says. He adds that if a physician doesn’t support a patient’s request for a second opinion, it might be a sign to seek care elsewhere because “nobody has all the answers. If a doctor is offended when a patient seeks a second opinion, you have to question the reason for that.”
Dr. Shapira says, “Most doctors encourage consulting with another doctor regarding cancer management and are accustomed to having their patients involve another physician.” The board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist adds, “In fact, your doctor might recommend seeing another physician before you have the chance to broach the topic.”
The two cancer specialists add, however, that it is important to tell your primary oncologist that you are obtaining a second opinion because your doctor’s practice will need to provide copies of your records to the physician you will be consulting.
When to seek a second opinion
Dr. Fitzgerald notes that it can be particularly helpful to obtain a second opinion after you receive a pathology report but before you start treatment, so that you can benefit from different perspectives on the choice of initial therapy. However, he emphasizes, people can get a second opinion at any point during their cancer journey, including after undergoing treatment.
Dr. Shapira and Dr. Fitzgerald say that obtaining a second opinion can be valuable when:
When opinions differ
What if the doctor providing a second opinion disagrees with the primary oncologist’s diagnosis or treatment plan?
Your options include:
Obtaining a second opinion from an RCCA specialist
If you want to obtain a second opinion from one of the 90+ cancer specialists at RCCA, call 844-928-0089 to schedule a consultation. You also should confirm that your health insurance plan covers second opinions, which most plans – including Medicare – do.
Before your visit, the RCCA staff will coordinate with your healthcare providers to have relevant medical records and test results forwarded to RCCA. An RCCA oncologist then will evaluate the documents and, if necessary, consult with a pathologist or radiologist to interpret test results.
During the visit, the RCCA oncologist generally will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination. In most cases, additional testing will not be needed. The RCCA oncologist will talk with you about your primary doctor’s diagnosis and treatment plan, and make his or her own recommendations. The RCCA oncologist will also send a copy of the consultation report to your doctor.
“Don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion at any time—or multiple times—during your cancer journey,” says Dr. Shapira. “Getting another opinion is a normal part of cancer management for both you and your oncologist. There is more than one way to solve a problem, and RCCA is here to help guide you through life-changing decisions and give you peace of mind.”
******
Drs. Fitzgerald and Shapira are among the 90+ cancer specialists who treat patients at more than 25 RCCA care centers in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, DC, area. Those oncologists see more than 23,000 new patients each year and provide care to more than 225,000 established patients, collaborating closely with their patients’ other physicians. They offer patients the latest in cutting-edge treatments, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, as well as access to a wide range of clinical trials. In addition to serving patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers, and benign blood disorders such as anemia, RCCA care centers also provide infusion services to people with a number of non-oncologic conditions—including multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis—who take intravenously-administered medications.
To learn more about RCCA, call 844-928-0089 or visit RCCA.com.
Resources on second opinions for cancer care decisions
For more information or to schedule an appointment,
call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the RCCA location nearest you.
Black Americans with lung cancer are 18% less likely than white people to be diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, 23% less likely to receive surgery, and 21% less likely to survive 5 years after diagnosis, according to the American Lung Association.
Cancer can affect anyone from any background. However, some racial and ethnic groups have higher rates of certain kinds of cancer. Regional Cancer Care Associates
Infusion therapy is a treatment modality that administers medications intravenously. While most people associate infusions with cancer treatment, several different conditions can be managed and
Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
