Women's Health: Second Opinions and Breast Cancer Treatments

Women who have breast cancer want to learn and be active in their treatment.

Once a woman has been diagnosed with breast cancer the shock and stress of the diagnosis can make it hard for them to remember all the questions they want to ask their doctors. In order to remember what the doctors say about treatments, you can take note or ask the doctor to tape what has been said during the visit. Some women even take family members or friends to the doctors' appointments. This also gives them the chance to listen, ask questions, and be there for moral support.

The original doctor may refer the female patient to cancer specialists for treatment or you can ask for a referral. Within a few weeks after diagnosis, the cancer treatment will begin.

Second Opinions

Women do have the option for second opinions. In some cases, insurance companies may pay for the second opinion, and other insurance companies require second opinion.

There could be a brief delay in arranging the second opinion and between the biopsy and treatment. This could take up to three or four weeks.

Second Opinion Tips

• Women may be referred too more than one specialist. Surgeons, plastic surgeons, medical ontologists, and radiation ontologists are those who are considered specialists in breast cancer treatment. In many cases, these doctors will work as a team at cancer centers.
• In order to find out about cancer centers and other NCI programs in your area, call 1-800-4-cancer. This toll free number will direct you to the Cancer Information Center.
• Breast cancer patients can also get the names of specialists from a medical school, local medical societies or a local hospital.
• You can find doctors along with their specialty in the Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists. You can find the ABMS at the local library in your area.

Breast Cancer Treatment Methods

There are local and systemic therapy methods that can treat breast cancer patients. Some women chose to use both types of treatments.