Why Get a Second Opinion?
A cancer diagnosis is not specific to any one age, group, race or income level. Those diagnosed look to the medical community for hope and direction.
Thesecondopinion receives requests from patients and families with all types of cancer. Whether newly diagnosed or those with recurring cancer, patients often need a fuller understanding of their disease as well as their options. Those diagnosed are often overwhelmed with uncertainty, disbelief and fear, and look to the medical community for hope and direction. Some are looking for confirmation of their diagnosis before proceeding with a treatment, while others are seeking support sorting out difficult choices.
“Cancer will strike approximately three of four California families. It is expected that 130,0000 new cancer cases will be identified in 2007 alone.” (California Facts and Figures 2007, American Cancer Society)
- Over 25,000 Bay Area residents will receive a cancer diagnosis each year”.It is estimated that at least 25% of these will be uninsured.
While information provided by the American Cancer Society to the San Francisco Chronicle (January 2007) shows that deaths from cancer are dropping, still over 500,000 Americans a year are dying because of cancer. The need for independent second opinion programs is growing every day. The sharing and comparing of information can save lives and reduce dramatic emotional trauma in families. New procedures are being implemented and old ones are being improved, yet this good news brings unique challenges: - “Over 100 Americans die each day needlessly (of cancer). This is not because the treatments are unknown or unavailable but because the patient fails to receive (information) on current best treatments.”
Obtaining a second opinion is often critical to the physical and emotional well-being of the patient not only because it provides such important tools as clarity and confidence, but because accurate information is very much part of the healing process. - “There are treatments for every type of cancer. It is vital to treat cancer promptly, properly and thoroughly because often there is no second chance. The important factor is for the patient to be able to make an informed correct decision about how best to be treated.”
Instead of being outside the review process, in our program the patient is required to be in the loop, to be present, meet the Review Panel committee and take part in a shared dialogue that asks questions and addresses concerns. Thesecondopinion reviews and explains critical and sometimes difficult to understand information, clarifies options, and provides patients with confidence in managing their cancer.