Should I Seek a Second Opinion On My Treatment?

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Diane Talbert and originally appeared on our partner site ProstateCancer.net.

Trusting blindly in one thing is never a good choice. But taking too many suggestions may not be a good idea either. As the saying goes, too many cooks spoil the broth. So finding the balance between where to go and whom to ask for a suggestion can be tricky.

Finding a reliable and trustworthy source also matters. We had all these dilemmas when my father was diagnosed with cancer.

Getting guidance from others

My father and I were really skeptical about what to do. We surfed all the Facebook support groups and found so many options to approach for guidance. I wanted to know if we needed a second opinion about my father's treatment plan. We were so overwhelmed that we even discussed it in the Facebook group. Someone actually shared some contact information with us. This was a beginning.

We contacted the doctor's office to learn about other people's treatment experiences. He shared more related information with us. Not only was he a doctor, but a patient as well. I was just curious about who treated him and how satisfied he was with his overall health afterward.

He told us about his doctor and praised him for his support and guidance throughout the whole process. He was kept informed about every step and given the strength to stay firm. Even though he was a doctor, he needed guidance, too, in the face of this adversity. So, we felt that this doctor could be accessed for a second opinion. We needed professional guidance about the treatment plan and what should be considered before finalizing it.

There are no guarantees

We sat with the doctor and discussed our dilemma. We just needed to be sure that we were doing the right thing. He smiled and responded to our queries. The best thing he said was that nobody can be 100% sure whether what they are doing will turn out to be right.

We have to have faith at some point. Some things need to be done, and a leap of faith can be a way forward. Yes, we can make informed decisions. But no one can give us a 100% guarantee.

A second opinion helped us

Moving forward, we discussed the treatment plan we opted to go with and my father's medical reports and history. The doctor reviewed them in detail and was satisfied with our decision. He asked my father about his lifestyle. He was thinking about bringing some positive changes to enhance the vitality of treatment.

Overall, looking back, I think we made the right decision to seek a second opinion. It helped us clear our heads. We were able to put our thoughts in order, and it gave us the right push to move forward with our decision. But trusting yourself and having faith in doctors in the whole process is also very important.