Many women with breast cancer feel a sense of urgency to launch treatment and begin treatment immediately. However, in most cases there is plenty of time to do some research to make sure the diagnosis is correct and that your treatment plan makes sense – and this may include getting a second opinion.Getting a second opinion means asking another breast cancer specialist, or team of specialists, to review all of your medical reports and test results, give an opinion about your diagnosis, and suggest treatment options. A second opinion may confirm your doctor’s original diagnosis and treatment plan, provide more details about the type and stage of your breast cancer, raise additional treatment options you haven’t considered, or recommend a different course of action. Even if you’ve already had treatment, it’s never too late to get a second opinion. A second doctor can consider the diagnosis and treatment plan to date, and provide any additional ideas or recommendations.
Reasons To Get a Second Opinion For Breast Cancer
If someone has been diagnosed with breast cancer and wants to ask for a second opinion, the sooner the better. A second opinion should definitely be obtained before any definitive surgery, such as a mastectomy, or a treatment with significant side effects, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
As a patient, you are entitled to a second opinion at any time during your cancer journey, for any reason that is important to you. Most doctors will not be surprised or alarmed that you want to. They may even cheer you up and help you put them in order.
People shouldn’t worry too much that getting a second opinion about their breast disease will delay treatment. A second opinion usually takes a few days or a week. The hard case may take longer, but maybe that really needs a second opinion. In the grand scheme of things, this kind of delay has no material effect in terms of outcome. It is crucial to have the correct diagnosis so that proper treatment is given rather than treated quickly. Think quality over speed.
Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Tests and procedures used to diagnose breast cancer include:
Breast Test:Your doctor will examine both your breasts and the lymph nodes in your armpit, and feel for any lumps or other abnormalities.
Mammogram: A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are commonly used to detect breast cancer. If an abnormality is detected on a mammogram, your doctor may recommend a mammogram to further evaluate this abnormality.
Breast Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of structures deep inside the body. Ultrasound may be used to determine if a new breast lump is a solid mass or a fluid-filled cyst.
Taking a sample of breast cells for examination (biopsy): A biopsy is the only definitive way to diagnose breast cancer. During a biopsy, your doctor uses a specialized needle device guided by X-rays or another imaging test to extract pulp of tissue from the suspicious area. Often, a small metal tag is left at the site inside your breast so that the area can be easily identified in future imaging tests.
Biopsy samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis, where experts determine whether the cells are cancerous. The biopsy sample is also analyzed to determine the type of cells involved in breast cancer, how aggressive (grade) the cancer is, and whether the cancer cells have hormone or other receptors that may affect treatment options.
Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI machine uses magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the inside of the breast. Before having a breast MRI, you receive an injection of dye. Unlike other types of imaging tests, an MRI does not use radiation to create the images.
Depending on your condition, other tests and procedures may be used.
Delay in Second Medical Opinion For Breast Cancer
A literature review was conducted for studies on breast cancer delay published in English or Spanish journals between 1950 and 2008. Searches were performed using the electronic databases PubMed and Scielo for the following terms, in English and Spanish: breast cancer delay, delay, breast cancer, delay breast tumors, breast cancer Breast cancer will help order behavior.Every month delayed in cancer treatment can raise risk of death by around 10%.
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