Seeking a Second Opinion
As you face cancer treatment, it’s normal to wonder what another cancer doctor might say about your case. Could they provide more information or a different treatment plan? You might want to have another cancer doctor review your test results, talk to you about your case, and maybe even offer a new point of view on it. Getting a second opinion can help you feel better about your treatment plan.
Is there enough time to wait for a second opinion?
Treatment decisions should be made after you have learned all you can about your cancer, how serious it is, and treatment options. This can take time, depending on the type of cancer you have. For a few cancers, you might need to make some treatment decisions right away. But usually, you can take some time to think about them, and decide what is best for you. If you are concerned about waiting to start treatment, you should talk to your doctor.
Why get a second opinion?
Reasons for getting a second opinion include:
- You want to be sure you have explored all options.
- You have a rare or unusual cancer.
- You think another treatment might be available.
- Your cancer doctor is not a specialist in of the type of cancer you have.
- Your doctor tells you there is uncertainty about the type or stage of cancer you have.
- Your cancer doctor gives you a few different treatment options.
- You’re having trouble understanding and communicating with your doctor
- You want the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have gotten a correct diagnosis and are making the right treatment choice.
- Your insurance company asks you to get another opinion before you start treatment.
Remembering what your doctor says
It might be hard to get a clear sense of information when you are anxious or afraid. And sometimes, without knowing it, doctors use words that you don’t understand. If you don’t understand something, ask your doctor to explain it to you.
Even if the doctor carefully explains things, you may not hear or remember all that is said. Here are some ways to help you remember what your doctor tells you.
- Take a family member or friend to appointments with you.
- Take notes on what your doctor says.
- Ask if there are pamphlets or booklets about the information the doctor is giving you.
- Ask if you can record your talks.
Even after a thorough discussion with your doctor, you still may decide to get a second opinion.
How to talk to your doctor about getting a second opinion
Some people find it hard to tell their doctors that they’d like a second opinion. Some doctors might be OK with it and others might not. Remember, it’s common for people to get a second opinion. It’s your choice to make. If you aren’t sure how to talk to your doctor about it, here are a few ways to start the conversation:
- “I’m thinking of getting a second opinion. Can you recommend someone?”
- “Before we start treatment, I’d like to get a second opinion. Will you help me with that?”
- “If you had this type of cancer, who would you see for a second opinion?”
- “I think that I’d like to talk with another doctor to be sure I have all my bases covered.”
What to expect when getting a second opinion
Before you start looking for a second opinion, contact your insurance company to find out what your policy covers. In some cases, you may have to get a second opinion from another doctor who is part of your health plan before insurance will pay for your treatment.
It’s important to be able to give the second cancer doctor the exact details of your diagnosis and planned treatment. Make sure you have the following information handy:
- A copy of your pathology report from any biopsy or surgery
- If you had surgery, a copy of your operative report
- If you’ve been in the hospital, a copy of the discharge summary (the report prepared when you are sent home)
- A summary of your doctor’s current treatment plan or the plan that has been given to you
- A list of all your medicines, doses, and how long ago you took them. Some medicines can have long-term side effects.
You can ask your current doctor’s office for copies of your records or to have your records sent to the second doctor’s office. If you have had treatment or tests in a hospital or clinic, you may need to contact their medical records department to find out how to get copies of those records. Sometimes, you can request your records through an online portal, if your doctor's office, treatment center, or hospital has one. Be sure to always keep copies of your records for yourself, as well.
Deciding where to go for a second opinion
When you let your doctor know you want to get a second opinion, they may be able to recommend another doctor.
Other resources that can help you find an oncologist are:
- Local hospital, medical clinics or cancer centers
- Choosing a Cancer Doctor
- American Board of Medical Specialties
Making sense of the second opinion
While people with cancer seem to be asking for second opinions more often, studies show the benefits of getting one are unclear.
If the second opinion you get differs from the first, these tips may be helpful.
- Make an appointment with your first doctor to talk about the second opinion.
- Ask both doctors to explain how they determined the treatment plans.
- Ask how they interpreted your test results.
- Ask what research studies or professional guidelines they consulted.
- Ask what they have recommended to people with the same type of cancer you have.
- Ask if the two doctors can review your case together.
You also might need to consult with another specialist to discuss the two opinions you’ve been given. Specialists you might talk to include pathologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, or radiation oncologists.
If you'd like to learn about the latest treatment guidelines, two good sources are:
- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Treatment Guidelines (www.nccn.org)
- The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) PDQ® Cancer Treatment Summaries (www.cancer.gov)
Both are available in versions for health professionals (which use medical language and terminology) and patients (which use everyday language).
- Written by
- References
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
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McCranie A, Lee AD, Leonard L, Vemuru S, Huynh V, D'Angelo J, D'Angelo AL, Ahrendt G, Kaoutzanis C, Fisher C, Gleisner A. Exploration of Patient Retention in Seeking a Second Opinion: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal of Surgical Research. 2025 Feb 1;306:588-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.04.025
Shah AP, Shi S, Shah S. Characterization of remote second-opinion oncology patients and associated changes in management. J Clin Oncol 40, e18563-e18563(2022).https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.e18563
Last Revised: July 31, 2025
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
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