Why Get a Second Opinion?
Rosa Skinner, 30, from Orlando, Florida, was a nursing student when diagnosed at age 28. “I tell people I fired my first oncologist,” says Skinner. After her diagnosis, Skinner felt overwhelmed and without a frame of reference, being so young. “I actually liked my oncologist, but the front office staff was not good. They were rude, didn’t return my calls.”
Skinner’s second (and current) oncologist was a welcome change but wasn’t as familiar with younger patients. “I was recently married, had one child, and we knew we wanted another,” says Skinner. Her oncologist wanted her to go on a medication that would affect fertility for five years. “I got a second opinion to hear my fertility options and learned that I could start the medication, pause to try to conceive, and start back.” Armed with that option, Skinner returned to her former doctor, who was closer to home and had years of experience.
You may find yourself in a situation similar to that of Skinner. So what do you do?
Once you've researched, found a doctor, and received a diagnosis or are close to one, a second opinion may be the last thing you want to do. But many experts believe it can be a crucial step in your health journey.
A second opinion can help you with several stages of your health:
- When your doctor suggests surgery
- Getting a diagnosis (if your first doctor can’t find out what’s wrong)
- Making sure your first diagnosis is correct
- Getting clarity on a diagnosis that’s unclear
- When the patient is your child
How does one turn into two?
You might have questions about getting a second opinion and how to go about it. But studies show it pays — even if you like and trust your doctor — to get a second opinion.
One study showed that 21% of patients who sought a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic, for example, got a new diagnosis. In more than half of those cases, the second opinion was considered correct.
So why don’t people get a second opinion? Experts say some things can make it hard.
Same diagnosis, different treatment plan
What happens if you get a second opinion and the treatment plans are different?
Claudia De Pasquale, author and life coach, and breast cancer advocate from Benicia, California, was a healthy, active mom of three young children (ages 3, 5, and 7) when her world turned upside down. A routine mammogram came back clear, but a year later, during a regular OB/GYN exam, her doctor felt two lumps. Further testing revealed multifocal invasive lobular carcinoma stage I, grade 3, ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative.
“You only get one shot at a first treatment plan, and for me, getting a second opinion changed everything,” says De Pasquale. “I got second opinions for my treatment plan, surgery, and even reconstruction.”
“For hormone therapy, one doctor recommended tamoxifen only. Another, looking more closely at my age and cancer type, suggested a more aggressive plan — ovarian suppression combined with an aromatase inhibitor,” says De Pasquale. “Same diagnosis, completely different treatment approaches. Hearing those differing opinions gave me confidence that I was on the most effective plan for long-term protection.”
Doctors suggested different approaches to surgery as well as reconstruction. It was a long and difficult journey, filled with both physical and emotional hurdles. But every step brought me closer to not only healing but also reclaiming ownership of my body and my future.
“Those second opinions gave me clarity, confidence, and choices,” says De Pasquale. “They reminded me that asking questions and seeking another perspective isn’t being difficult — it’s being thorough.”
Passing on second opinions
But not everyone gets a second opinion. One poll suggested only about 30% of people think they should get a second opinion. Melissa Berry, founder of Cancer Fashionista and host of the “Dear Cancer, I’m Beautiful” podcast and a triple-negative breast cancer survivor from Mahwah, New Jersey, was one of them. “The day I heard the words ‘you have breast cancer,’ my world stopped,” says Berry. A mom of two young daughters at the time, Berry chose to listen to her doctors, follow their advice, and opt out of a second opinion.
“At the time, I knew getting a second opinion was an option, but I was scared, overwhelmed, and simply couldn’t think clearly enough to consider it,” says Berry. “A second opinion may not have changed my decision, but I would have had a fuller picture of my options.”
Although Berry didn’t get a second opinion, she now suggests that women get one.
“I may not have gotten a second opinion when I was first diagnosed, but today I encourage others to consider it,” says Berry. “It’s not about questioning your care. It’s about peace of mind, confidence, and knowing you have explored every option available for the best possible outcome.”
You Have a Second Opinion. Now What?
Once you have advice from a second doctor, it’s time to sit down and think about your options. You’ll likely have three paths:
Your second opinion doctor disagrees with your first doctor.
Share the new information with your first doctor for their feedback. Doctors are human, and they can change their minds with more information. Maybe your second doctor has more training on your diagnosis. But don’t assume the doctor who agrees with you has the best approach. You might need a third doctor or your primary doctor to help figure out your best path forward.
Your second opinion doctor agrees with your first doctor.
Studies show that even when the diagnosis is correct, a second opinion is helpful. This may offer some comfort knowing two doctors have the same thoughts about your diagnosis. In this case, you may want to stay with the one who best meets your needs. Which one is closer to your home? Approved by insurance? Offers other services that are helpful for your care? “A good oncologist will respect your choice and may even recommend colleagues for you to consult,” says Berry.
Your second opinion doctor agrees and disagrees with your first doctor.
Things aren’t always black and white when managing a breast cancer diagnosis. Other doctors may agree with the testing of your first doctor, but not the treatment plan. Or they may agree with your treatment but suggest more testing than the first. It can be a scary time with so many options in front of you. “Getting more than one second opinion gave me peace of mind,” says De Pasquale. “It felt like the most empowered decision for my body.”
Support for Your Second Opinion
Getting a second opinion may be scary if you’re already facing a new diagnosis. Here are some ways to help.
- Find a support group. Organizations like Living Beyond Breast Cancer help you find others going through similar experiences.
- Check your insurance. Many plans cover a second opinion — especially for more serious diagnoses such as breast cancer.
- Talk to your doctor. You might be pleasantly surprised to know that most doctors support second opinions.
