A second opinion is the request for an expert to provide an opinion about a diagnosis, treatment or other medical suggestion when you already have an expert opinion.

If you think you want a second opinion, for whatever reason, ask for one.

There is generally no harm done by delaying start of treatment for a reasonable period of time. Ask your doctor how much time you have to make a decision. To avoid unreasonably postponing getting a second opinion, set a deadline for getting the opinion. (Don't use the quest for certainty become an excuse for putting off treatment indefinitely).

In addition to local doctors, you can obtain an opinion from doctors all around the country (or even the globe) or from institutions or services -often without having to travel even if the doctor is in another city. (Free transportation may be available).  Many specialists will give an opinion for free if they only have to review facts instead of an entire medical record.

A second opinion can come from an expert with the same expertise as the person who gave you an opinion or an expert with a different expertise. For example, if you have an opinion about the need for surgery from a surgeon, you may ask for an opinion from a doctor who specializes in using chemotherapy, or another specialist.

It is advisable that the opinion be from a doctor or doctors who are not a close associate of your doctor - preferably a doctor who works at a different institution and was trained at a different hospital and who will review your situation with doctors who have expertise other than the particular doctor's.  With cancer, it is preferable to get the opinion from a doctor who is associated with a Comprehensive Cancer Center certified by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) or an educational institution.

Tell the doctor who gave you the opinion that you will seek a second opinion. Many people have difficulty telling their doctor for fear that it indicates they don't trust the doctor. In fact,  the request for second opinions is so common that it should not be a problem for your doctor. Many doctors welcome the request.

A copy of your medical records will be required for a second opinion. If your doctor doesn't create the copy, expect that it can take a good deal of effort to collect the records, but don't let that stop you. If you're not up to it, ask a friend or family member, or hire an assistant or a service to pull together the necessary records. NOTE: If you had a scan such as an x-ray, MRI, PET scan, or CT scan,  or if you had a biopsy, the doctor will likely insist on seeing the original rather than a report. Instead of relying on your doctor's office to arrange for copies of the originals to be sent, you can avoid delays by making the arrangements yourself. (Making a request in person or personally picking up the originals may speed the process).

If you receive conflicting opinions, ask the doctors to talk with each other to resolve the conflict and/or ask for a third or even fourth opinion.

Insurance companies generally pay for a second opinion -- and even a third and fourth one. Insurance companies tend not to pay for opinions obtained over the internet instead of in person. If you have to pay for a second opinion, you can negotiate the fee and a payment schedule.  (If  money is an issue for you, Survivorship A to Z provides information about dealing with a financial crunch as a person with lung cancer. Click here. 

Do not let a search for certainty provide a reason for stalling making a decision!

Each of these subjects is covered in depth in other sections of this document.

 NOTE: In order to not delay getting the second opinion, ask the doctor who read the pathology report for a Petri dish sample and a copy of the pathologist's report. The doctor who provides a second opinion will likely want to see both.

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