Second Opinion

Shortly after the diagnosis, decisions are made regarding the right treatment for your lung cancer.  The right diagnosis is crucial to the treatment decisions.

Second opinions can confirm or suggest changes to your doctor’s proposed treatment plan. If you have questions about your diagnosis, a second opinion may offer you comfort and confidence that you have explored all of your options.

Getting a second opinion is done frequently and your doctor may be able to recommend another doctor or cancer center. Most often either the patient or the physician can request the second opinion.

There are cancer centers that will evaluate your tissue sample (laboratory sample that determines the type of cancer you have) rather than having you travel to the center.  These samples will be sent to the center and they will identify the cell type (treatment is based upon cell type).

A word of caution, make sure that the sample is sent in a way that a tracking number is issued when the sample is shipped. You do not want your sample to be lost en route.

Second Opinion Resources

The HR Bloch Foundation founded by Richard R. Bloch, co-founder of HR Block Inc. and lung cancer survivor, has a broad list of second opinion resources: hospitals, specialty centers, laboratories and doctors. Additionally, this site has inspirational and supportive resources for cancer patients and their families, friends, and caregivers.

http://www.blochcancer.org/

Cancer Centers Program, supported by the National Cancer Institute, has more than 50 facilities that are dedicated as Comprehensive Cancer Centers. These institutions, are characterized by scientific excellence and capability. They are dedicated to cancer research and are capable of providing care based upon current cancer research.

http://www3.cancer.gov/cancercenters/default.html/