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DiscussionHow do I get a Second Opinion (cancer)?
Cancer | Last Active: Jan 21 10:40pm | Replies (43)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "Good for you! I wish I had gotten a second right away. I love how brave..."
My first oncologist had me at HER2+. I bought a wig and got ready for chemo when my 2nd one said equivocal then negative. Ditto the 3rd and they refused to retest. Two had me at grade 3, two had me at grade 2. My Oncotype was low but I was possibly high grade, highish ki67%, and lymphovascular invasion. First three told me they would not check anything any further.
Fourth one said "I don't blame you for being troubled" (so I knew I had found the right one) and retested HER2 but counted a lot more cells to make sure, and rechecked everything else. She left the decision on chemo up to me. With low Oncotype I declined. Knock on wood - this was all in 2015. I was told 1 in 5 radiologists would do radiation on me but all docs agreed best not to due to other health issues. So I only did an aromatase inhibitor after double mastectomy. That was the treatment that 3 others had recommended but my mind was at ease thanks to that kind 4th doctor.
If I had stuck with the first doctor I would have had chemo AND meds for HER2.