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Breast Cancer: Stage 3 & 4 Community

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MedHelp Member's Question

second opinions

by bunky2164, Nov 27, 2008 09:45PM

I have just recently been diagnosised with stage 3 breast cancer. Everyone says I need to get a second opinion on treatment. I have seen a surgeon and oncologist in my area, but since I live in a fairly small community my co-workers and daughters think I should go to Chicago or Mayo Breast Clinic in Florida. What are your thoughts on this. I'm very scared and anxious. I can't have surgery until they try to shrink the tumor. In the mean time it's an agressive tumor. Please help me with your opinion. Thanks, Bunky 2164

Member Comments (3)

by japdip, Nov 28, 2008 08:57PM

To: Bunky2164

If you have confidence in your Physicians (both Surgeon and Oncologist) I see no reason to travel a great distance for another opinion. You would still most likely have your treatments close to where you live .... treatment usually lasts for several months and "home" is the best place to be. I don't quite understand what part of your treatment that you have a problem with or is it just the opinion of others that has you in doubt ?? Treating the tumor to shrink it before surgery is a very accepted medical practice amd is done often. You don't say where you live but you're certainly mentioning two places that are miles apart. If you truly want a second opinion, any larger center like a Hosp. that has a medical school affiliation would be more than adequate but keep in mind that you would be wasting precious time by delaying your treatment and you mention the cancer is an aggressive type. I would certainly advise that you start treatment ASAP rather than worrying about a second opinion. Kindest regards ....

by Kemal, Nov 29, 2008 12:05AM

To: bunky2164

Staging is a tricky thing to go through.  I truely don't know how one knows they are stage three without removing the lymph nodes.  My wife had a masectomy four months after the first needle biopsy.  She was stage II after her masectomy and two weeks later stage four with the CT scan.

Staging is important so you do not treat incorrectly but it can be a double edged sword also.  Did you have a CT scan.  My wifes cancer is aggressive and hit the bones and the liver.  You want to prevent the spreading of the cancer.

If you want to know everything tell your oncologist not to candy coat anything.  My wife just wants to be treated and does not want to know her stage.

Best of luck to all.

Kemal

by lhughes, Nov 30, 2008 09:06PM

If your docs are willing to consult with other docs about treatments and such, then I think staying with your local doc would be okay. My doc talked all around about my treatment, but I was a special case. If your doc is fairly up-to-date on everything, then you will have as good a treatment (if not better) locally. If you are concerned about your doc, then by all means, seek an additional consult with other doctors, especially those at learning hospitals. I did *most* of my treatments locally and then went to a larger city because there were more options (in the case of research and treatment) available for long-term treatment.

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