When you want more input into your breast situation, here’s how to get another opinion without wasting any time.
If your doctor doesn't send you for imaging or a biopsy and you feel a mass, or if test results are inconsistent, or if you're uncomfortable with a doctor's diagnosis, seek another opinion. Here's how to do this quickly.
Make Your First Doctor Your Ally
Tell him or her you're pleased with the care you're getting, but you want additional input. That way you won't burn bridges if you decide to stay with your original doctor later. Any physician who does not welcome a second opinion is not the doctor to treat you. You want a surgeon who is confident in his or her skills and assessment and would welcome a second look at your case.Call for the Appointment ASAP
Ask your friends if any of their friends or family members have had breast issues and where they had a positive experience. On the phone, start by saying you want a second opinion, which helps you get in faster. Be specific. If you have been diagnosed with cancer say so. Office personnel cannot read minds and they need to know that you are talking about something serious.If you have an HMO, don't wait the months it can take to authorize an out-of-network referral; be aggressive in pushing for it while simultaneously asking the billing department of your chosen center whether your HMO typically approves second opinions at its facility.
Gather Your Records
Because centers have different requirements for records, including whether they want you to send them in advance or bring them to your appointment, it helps to know their needs first. You may need to fax requests to your doctors and pick up copies yourself. You'll want the pathology report (many centers want to review the actual slides to be certain the pathologist is correct in the diagnosis) , all test results and mammogram and sonogram images (you may have to pay a copying fee). To have biopsy slides mailed, you'll need to fax a separate release to the pathology department. Remember you need the actual films and the written reports!You Are Your Best Advocate
Knowledge is power so gain the information that you need to make informed decisions. Do not feel pressured to rush into surgery. Breast cancer is an emotional emergency not a physical emergency in most cases.However, if you have inflammatory breast cancer, an especially aggressive disease, your doctors will want to act quickly to begin treatment with chemotherapy.
For more on breast cancer, see:
"The Cancer Patient's Guide to Navigating the Medical System"
"What to Do If You Find a Breast Lump"
"Tuesdays with Julie: How Racquetball Partners Battled Breast Cancer"