Empowerment comes with a second opinion
The word “cancer” can drum up many emotions for patients and their families, no matter if the diagnosis is a stage I or stage IV disease. Sometimes, patients may feel unsure of what to do next, if they are getting ready to start the right treatment to help them beat cancer, and if they should get a second opinion. According to oncologists at Karmanos, you should.
“Getting a second opinion is best practice,” said George Yoo, M.D., FACS, chief medical officer at the Karmanos Cancer Hospital in Detroit. “Ten percent to 20% of the cases we see for a second opinion result in a change of diagnosis or the treatment plan for those patients. A second opinion can give patients confidence and validation that the choice they will make for themselves is the right choice and best for them.”
Empowerment comes with a second opinion. After a second opinion appointment at Karmanos Cancer Institute, patients can decide with their families where they’d like to seek treatment, who they would like to be their oncologist and if they want to change their initial treatment plan.
Karmanos has developed a patient-centered process to facilitate rapid second opinions by eliminating the barriers with an experienced oncology navigator. These navigators act as single points of contact, guiding patients through every step. They proactively assist with gathering necessary medical records from outside institutions, navigating insurance approvals, and coordinating scheduling, relieving the stress for the patient. At the second opinion appointment, Karmanos experts review unique and new therapies available to treat the patient’s specific diagnosis. The exclusive therapies available may not be an option at the initial diagnosing facility, but are accessible at Karmanos. In addition to standard cancer treatments, Karmanos offers:
- Advanced surgical options, including minimally invasive robotic surgery that provides smaller incisions, reduce pain, shorten hospital stays, and result in faster recovery times than traditional surgery options.
- Access to leading-edge radiation modalities, including sophisticated radiation treatment options, which can often reduce side effects compared to standard radiation therapies.
- Precision medicine and targeted therapies. For example, genomic profiling allows Karmanos physicians to identify specific gene mutations driving a patient’s cancer. Targeted treatments attack those mutations, making a patient’s treatment plan more personalized and often more effective than traditional chemotherapy.
- Access to innovative clinical trials. Karmanos is a leader in cancer research and clinical studies. With hundreds of clinical trials, Karmanos offers patients and their families more hope and more treatment options.
Getting a Second Opinion is Easy – and Quick
Patients seeking a second opinion can see a Karmanos expert specializing in their cancer within a week. Just call 1-800-KARMANOS or submit an appointment request at karmanos.org/secondopinion. Once the appointment request is initiated, a patient navigator will help guide the patient through the entire process, including facilitating the gathering of records and pre-authorizations with insurance companies.