It is not uncommon to receive a second opinion during cancer treatment. At MaineHealth, we understand how important it is to have confidence in your colon cancer care approach and treatment. We want to make every effort to ensure that patients, and in many cases healthcare providers, get a second opinion whenever they want one. This is important to us and we focus on patient-centered care.
What is a second opinion?
A second opinion is when a patient or doctor asks another medical expert to review the patient’s diagnosis or recommended treatment. This is common in cancer, especially when patients have unusually complex conditions or rare forms of the disease.
If you choose a second opinion, your doctor will forward your test results, including radiology images, blood tests, and pathology slides. Your doctor may recommend another doctor who specializes in your cancer, or you may find a specialist through your primary care physician, online research, or a recommendation from a relative or friend.
To find out if your insurance will cover the cost of a second opinion visit, we recommend contacting your insurance company directly to find out.
Preparing for the visit
As with all cancer treatment visits, when getting a second opinion, it can be helpful to write down your questions in advance and take notes during the conversation. Doctors often recommend bringing someone with you to help you remember the story later. It can be difficult to process what you’re hearing, especially if you’re feeling scared or anxious about your condition.
Doctors may also seek the opinion of another doctor, either one-on-one or by asking a multidisciplinary group of cancer experts to review and review the patient’s diagnosis and treatment. This team of experts includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and surgical oncologists, as well as pathologists, pharmacists, and patient navigators. They meet regularly to review patient cases.
Where can I get a second opinion?
MaineHealth provides a site where patients and their doctors can get second opinions. Each facility has highly trained and experienced cancer specialists.
main medical center
Harold Alfond Cancer Treatment Center at MaineGeneral Medical Center