| As a patient with cancer, two of the most | | | | Center or Clinical Cancer Center (you can find |
| important decisions you will make are which | | | | their locations online), you can still get a second |
| treatment you will receive and where. | | | | opinion. Choose a doctor who is not affiliated with |
| But diagnosing cancer is a very complex process | | | | your doctor, and who is at a hospital that is not |
| that involves many health care professionals. In | | | | affiliated with your doctor's hospital. |
| addition, the testing that is done on patients varies | | | | Another important part of getting the best |
| between doctors and specialists. And even the | | | | therapy is to get a second opinion on your cancer |
| best health care professionals make mistakes. | | | | by an expert pathologist. This involves getting the |
| How do newly diagnosed patients know they are | | | | biopsy specimen to an outside pathologist. |
| getting the best therapy for their cancer? | | | | Pathologists can't always precisely determine the |
| Unfortunately, most patients don't get the best | | | | stage of cancer, and sometimes not even the |
| treatment because they are diagnosed by a | | | | type of cancer. And, sometimes tests that could |
| doctor who is not an oncologist. Therefore, that | | | | be done on your biopsy specimen aren't, simply |
| doctor is not likely to direct them to the most | | | | because they aren't commonly used. But that |
| up-to-date therapies available. | | | | doesn't mean these tests won't help you. |
| The first step toward getting what you need is to | | | | You need an expert to examine your biopsy |
| get a second opinion. The Institute for Advanced | | | | specimens. For example, The Armed Forces |
| Study in Medicine reported that 25% of patients | | | | Institute of Pathology has an excellent reputation |
| had their treatment changed based on a second | | | | in pathology. |
| opinion. | | | | Another important thing to do when you are first |
| Comprehensive Cancer Centers are the best | | | | diagnosed is to contact the organizations for your |
| places to get second opinions. That's where the | | | | type of cancer. They can lead you to experts in |
| experts are, doctors who think about your type | | | | that field. Finally, get good nutritional counseling, |
| of cancer every day. And that's what you want. | | | | and if you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, try |
| If you aren't near a National Cancer | | | | your best to stop. |
| Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer | | | | Copyright 2005 Palkon Publishing Services Corp. |