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Have you been thinking about getting a second opinion but are not sure if you should or how to do it? You should not worry about offending your physician if you want to get a second opinion. In most cases physicians are comfortable in helping you get a recommendation from another physician and may know who the physicians are within the community with expertise in particular areas of cancer management.
If you have concerns about the recommendations for treatment, or would be more comfortable if you knew different physicians support a similar course of treatment, you may want to get a second opinion. If you understand your treatment options and are comfortable with the proposed treatment you may not need a second opinion. Sometimes second opinions are sought to provide reassurance for your family.
A second opinion may be obtained either from another physician within your own community or from a large cancer center. Options for each are outlined below:
Getting a Second Opinion in the Kansas City Area
- St. Luke's Hospital
Call 816-932-9026. You will be asked to provide records and a list of specific questions. An appropriate physician will review your records and questions and the oncology nurse will call you back and review the findings with you. If you meet specified criteria this service is free of charge.
- Kansas University Medical Center
Call 913-588-1227. You will be required to provide records and a panel of appropriate specialists will be set up. You will meet with the panel and they will provide you with their opinion. There is a charge for this service.
Getting a Second Opinion at a Regional Cancer Centers
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Jacksonville, Florida
Go to http://www.mayoclinic.org/patientinfo/
appointments.html for details regarding making an appointment, hours, insurance, etc.
- MD Anderson, Houston, Texas
Go to http://www.mdanderson.org and click on "Become a Patient" at the top of the screen. A patient can then complete a self-referral form to start the scheduling process.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York City, New York
Anyone interested in a second opinion at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City can call their toll-free referral number (800-525-2225), the oncology nurse who answers the call will be able to determine which specialist would be the most appropriate.
- Harvard's Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Massachusetts
Go to http://www.DFCI.Harvard.edu and click on "Get a Second Opinion" or call toll free 866-408-3324.
Getting a Second Opinion from an NCI (National Cancer Institute) Designated Cancer Centers
Go to http://www3.cancer.gov/cancercenters/centerslist.html for a list of NCI designated cancer centers. Phone numbers and a link to each site are provided on this list.
Many of the larger centers will require you to travel to their center. They may also require that you hand carry your medical information (consultation notes, pathology slides and reports, x-rays and reports) with you for their review. It is important to be aware that long distance second opinions may take longer to accomplish and the center may not accept your insurance.
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