When you’re dealing with cancer or another serious health issue, choosing a treatment plan can seem overwhelming. One way to make sure you’re learning about all your options is to seek a second opinion from another doctor. Many people do this, and most doctors are comfortable with it.
You can get a second (or third, or more) opinion for any reason. Some reasons people have given are:
Still, some people feel shy about telling their doctor they want to get a second opinion. Here are some ways to start the conversation:
You should not feel rushed to decide about treatment, even when your health problem is serious. It’s usually safe to take time to get a second opinion.
Be ready to give the new doctor:
After the second opinion
If the second doctor agrees with the first, you can feel more confident this is the best treatment plan for you. If the second opinion is different from the first, these are some things you can do next:
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
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