Metastatic Melanoma: 7 Reasons You Need a Second Opinion
你已经被诊断出来了withmetastatic melanoma. You may feel a sense of urgency to start treatment immediately and forego a second opinion. But it’s OK to take a moment to breathe, and understand this: there’s usually time between your diagnosis and the start of treatment to see another doctor and confirm what you’ve learned from your primary health professional. Talking to more than one doctor can ease your mind, as well as help you sort out your options. Here are the major reasons to call a second pro, and how to go about it.
确认您的诊断
如果您的医生不确定您的诊断或癌症的阶段,或者如果you’re不确定诊断是正确的,第二种意见是至关重要的。它可以带来所需的清晰度。癌症诊断可能是压倒性的,并且通过咨询第二名医生,您可以确认您的预期处理是正确的,以及回答您可能拥有的任何问题。
探索您的治疗方案
您的医生可能会提出治疗建议,但您可能希望听到不同的角度。了解所有治疗方案以及他们的优缺点,可以帮助您提出知情决策。尝试与专门癌症中心的人交谈,以填补您的最新技术和研究。纽约市的Erika Schwartz,M.D.1,即使您最终与您的原始医生接受治疗,也可以成为理解您的护理的可能性。施瓦茨博士说:“提前写下问题,谈论你周围的恐惧,”施瓦茨博士说。
如果你的案子不是典型的
If you have a rare or unusual cancer, such as desmoplastic melanoma or acral lentiginous melanoma, you may want to talk to a doctor familiar with this type of cancer. Often, Dr. Schwartz notes, your doctor may take the initiative, referring you to a specialist for a second opinion. If they don't, ask for a referral!
如果您的保险公司需要它
Some health insurance companies actually require their members to get a second opinion before they will pay for certain treatments, such as major surgery. In medicalandmoney matters, it's definitely best to be safe, so whatever your diagnosis, make a call to your carrier to see if a second (concurring) opinion is needed. Your bank account will thank you.
如果您想探索临床试验
转移性黑色素瘤的临床试验offer a way to try new medications and treatments that aren't yet available to the general public. You may want to talk to a doctor at a facility that offers, or is involved in, clinical trials for metastatic melanoma. Tell your doctor if this is something you're interested in, and they'll be able to start the ball rolling.
当你和你的医生不点击的时候怎么办
有时你和你的医生只是不要凝胶。这并不是说他们没有能力,但由于任何原因,你可能会感到不舒服。一个例子?您可能会觉得您的医生不会倾听您的疑虑。如果是这样,请寻求第二种意见。“医生关系需要高度的沟通和诚实,”俄勒冈州的癌症治疗中心,俄克拉荷马州塔拉·萨姆塔拉,塔尔萨的内科医生说。“有时,你只是不要点击,那没关系,”他说。“你越早承认这就是如此,你能找到合适的医生。”
如果您想与专门从事癌症类型的人交谈
根据美国癌症协会的说法,获得第二种意见的最重要原因之一是您的医生不是您类型的癌症类型的专家。虽然您的第一次访问可能一直是一般肿瘤科学家,但您可能会受益于获得具有深入体验的癌症经验的观点,或者专门从事特定的治疗YPE的DOC。也可以拨打电话。
如何寻求第二种意见
先跟你的医生谈谈(不,他们不能pset with you) and ask for recommendations for a second opinion. As Dr. Schwartz mentioned, a doctor might proactively suggest a second opinion, particularly if you should see someone who specializes in your type of cancer. Then call your insurance company and ask if you're limited to doctors in your network. Request a list of specialists in your area (or beyond, if you’re willing to travel). Next, contact a local cancer center that specializes in your type of cancer and ask for reccs. Or call a medical society or advocacy group for melanoma and ask which doctors in your area they recommend.
Documents to Bring with You to Your Second Opinion Visit
当你去约会的第二种意见时,带来你的病历为医生审查您的情况。您想要的一些文件包括:
- List of all drugs and medications
- Copies of pathology reports
- 手术报告副本
- 医院排放文件和治疗综述
- Summary of doctor’s current treatment plan
How to Gather Those Documents
Prior to your second-opinion appointment, call your current doctor's office and request that your records are sent to the other doctor. You may need to contact the medical records department of the hospital where you had surgery for any discharge papers. You should also call your pharmacy and request that they print out a list of your current medications for you to bring to the appointment.
第二个意见事项
远远往往要查看清单的肤浅,来自另一位医生的听证会帮助缓解你的恐惧,确认治疗类型是你最有空的选择,和/或说服你的原始医生真的是最好的照顾你的人案子。今天寻求第二种意见,帮助您在转移性黑色素瘤之旅中获得最佳治疗方法。
Eileen Bailey是一个屡获殊荣的六本关于健康和育儿主题和自由作家的屡获殊荣的作家,专门从事卫生主题,包括ADHD,焦虑,性健康,护肤,牛皮癣和皮肤癌。她的愿望是为读者提供有关健康状况的相关和实用信息,以帮助他们对其医疗保健做出明智的决定。