A mesothelioma diagnosis is bound to be upsetting and a shock. It is certainly understandable and even sensible to get a second opinion. Seeking a second opinion and having your primary care doctor’s mesothelioma diagnosis confirmed can help increase your comfort level in working with your doctor. You may feel more confident that your doctor is on top of the situation and will make sure that you receive the best available mesothelioma treatments.
After receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis, your first step should be to contact your health plan administrator or insurance provider to make sure that the cost of obtaining a second opinion is covered. You may find that not only is it covered but it may in fact be required in order for you to receive coverage for any future mesothelioma treatments. But should your insurance company balk at covering a second opinion; contact your lawyer. When you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, you should retain an experienced mesothelioma attorney to look out for your needs at this crucial time. Mesothelioma Circle’s sponsor Kazan Law always fronts the expense of a second medical opinion when insurance companies won’t. They understand the vital importance of getting a second opinion at a time like this.
Let your primary care physician or oncologist know and ask them for a referral if they have not all ready offered one to you.
Peruse the list of doctors on our website to see whether there are any near you. All the doctors on our website have been vetted for their proficiency in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma.
Will My Doctor Be Insulted If I Want a Second Opinion?
A mesothelioma diagnosis is permission to think about you first. Any compassionate doctor should understand and completely accept that. Worrying about whether your doctor might feel insulted if you express the need to seek a second opinion is natural and is a reflection of you having been a kind considerate person throughout your life. But it should not be your primary concern.
A mesothelioma diagnosis changes everything. Now is the time for you to put yourself first. Mesothelioma is a life-threatening illness. Before you turn your life upside down and start working with your doctor on a treatment plan to put up a good fight against mesothelioma, you need to make certain that this is for real. And your doctor should be supportive of you every step of the way. It is absolutely reasonable for you to want to rule out any possible error or misdiagnosis before starting on a rigorous treatment plan that will involve chemotherapy, radiation and possibly surgery. If your doctor does not suggest or support a second opinion for your mesothelioma diagnosis then you may need to change doctors right now. Because if you do indeed have mesothelioma, this may not be the doctor you want to trust with your life as you move forward.
Seeking a second opinion basically means you are consulting with another doctor to verify your mesothelioma diagnosis. Your primary care doctor should help you get a second opinion asap to prevent delays in starting your treatment.
You aren’t really comfortable with your doctor. It doesn’t matter why. It is your life. And if you have mesothelioma, you are going to be spending a lot of time with your doctor. If it’s not a good fit, use the opportunity of getting a second opinion to preview a possible new doctor.
Your doctor is not experienced in treating mesothelioma. As we mentioned, a mesothelioma diagnosis is not time to be excessively polite. Be up front and question your primary care doctor and any other specialist you see including your oncologist and surgeon about their familiarity with treating mesothelioma. You don’t want to depend on someone who is inexperienced.
Your doctor does not agree with a treatment you want to try. With a mesothelioma diagnosis, time is of the essence. New improved treatments may be slow in getting all the necessary approvals to become mainstream treatments. You may want to volunteer to try an experimental drug as part of a clinical trial or go for a surgery that may carry risks. A second professional opinion can help you sort out whether your doctor’s reasons to avoid these courses of action are valid.
Does a Mesothelioma Diagnosis Need a Third Opinion?
Because of the seriousness of a mesothelioma diagnosis is more better? If two heads are better than one what about a third? That depends. If the second opinion you obtain from a doctor agrees with the first, then it is likely time to proceed with a treatment plan. Going for two out of three in this situation is not in your best interest.
So when might a third opinion be appropriate? One instance wold be to break “a tie vote.” If the two doctors you have seen disagree about your mesothelioma diagnosis or the best treatment, then it is not only appropriate but a good idea to seek a third opinion.
And even if both of the physicians are in agreement on a positive mesothelioma diagnosis, you still may be justified in seeking a third opinion if they each recommend a different course of treatment. Perhaps one may recommend surgery while the other may encourage you to avoid surgery and stick with only chemotherapy and radiation. You should research this topic as much as you can but also seek a third opinion from a cancer specialist with expertise in mesothelioma.