Does my Doctor Know Everything?
How do I get a second opinion? I don’t want to offend my doctor, but I just want to be sure.
A second opinion can be a valuable part of your decision-making process. It is a common request and the right of every cancer patient. Your treating doctor can refer you to another specialist and you can ask for your results to be sent to the second-opinion doctor. You can ask for a second opinion even if you still prefer to be treated by your own doctor.
Can doctors predict how long a cancer patient will survive?
No. No two cancer patients or their conditions are the same and no doctor can predict with any certainty exactly how long a patient will survive with his/her cancer. Such predictions are based on statistical calculations and are only a general guide. On the other hand, it is not fair of patients to expect a doctor to tell them how long they can expect to live with their cancer.