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How do I get a Second Opinion (cancer)?
Cancer | Last Active: Jan 21 10:40pm | Replies (43)Comment receiving replies
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.
Replies to "My first oncologist had me at HER2+. I bought a wig and got ready for chemo..."
Some of those tests were not available when I was initially diagnosed. I can’t say that my story would have been wildly different but I still think I should have gotten a second opinion straight away. My mother used to always say, hindsight is always 20/20. I am ER+, PR-, HER2+. Grade 3, initial stage 2.
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Thank you for sharing your story. It reinforces that you have to self advocate. Wow, I'm glad you did that. I went with the first doctor as I went to a cancer center, but I'm very please up to this point. I plan to get a 2nd opinion.