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Research and Education on Cancer Treatment Options
Serving Patients, Caregivers and Medical Professionals Since 2001
ALWAYS get at least two independent opinions (ideally from oncologists who do NOT know each other) BEFORE you get ANY treatment. This cannot be overemphasized. One of the main services we provide is to help you find the best oncologist for a second opinion. If your doctor tries to rush you into surgery, radiation, chemo or any other treatment after just one opinion, or resists you getting a second opinion on your best treatment option, then you need another doctor. Their level of confidence, credential and charisma is irrelevant here.
YCS continues to be amazed at the number of patients who do not know this, and their ignorance has cost them dearly.
Why? The general answer has 3 parts: a) doctors are people and people make mistakes, b) most lab tests are not 100% accurate and c) the state of the art is changing and some doctors are not willing or able to keep up with the knowledge explosion that we have now.
We know of research (funded by the US government under the National Institute of Health) which found that 5 of the 65 candidates who applied for the study had been previously misdiagnosed by an M.D. Cancer is a clear case where the old carpenter's adage applies—you measure twice and cut once. Without the correct diagnosis, you are very unlikely to get the best possible treatment. Also, if you start a treatment protocol based on the wrong (or incomplete) diagnosis, you could be a) wasting valuable time and money, and b) harming your body and c) disqualifying yourself for the best possible treatment. We can provide you several sad cases where this happened. These tragedies was one of the primary reasons YCS was created in the first place.
Your health insurance is likely to pay for the 2nd opinion. Many health insurance companies now require a 2nd, independent opinion before they will pay for treatment, as well they should. (Note: There are a few exceptions to this. Either way, please call your insurance company quickly after any cancer diagnosis and ask exactly how this works. You will save yourself worry, time and perhaps some money too).
Every professional cancer association we know of STRONGLY recommends that you get a 2nd opinion whenever possible before allowing ANY treatment.
MANY experiences have taught us that you should get your second opinion reasonably quickly, since some aggressive cancers move very fast and you may be worse off if you wait too long. If the first two oncologists do not agree on your exact diagnosis and recommended treatment option(s) then get a third medical opinion. It is extremely important to start treatment only after you are sure of the diagnosis.
Please phone at 970-309-2790 us if you are still not convinced that a 2nd opinion is critical to getting the best care you can get. Sadly, we can tell you first-hand accounts of many real patients who suffered unnecessary losses-and 2 who died-because they did not follow this advice. There are very few exceptions to this rule.
Web Site Updated 4/15/2008
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