My name is David Plume, I’m a GP in Norfolk and I’m Macmillan’s Lead GP for cancer and end of life for East Anglia.

A second opinion is, as the name suggests, simply a second opinion from another doctor.

People often want a second opinion at the point of diagnosis because

it’s a horribly traumatic experience, they are worried that someone’s made a mistake

that they haven’t actually got cancer but invariably, most second opinions are taken at a point when it’s talking about treatment

rather than about whether the cancer diagnosis exists or not.

Some people will have had tests and investigations and will have nervously waited around for the results

only to be told that they don’t have cancer and they may still feel very unwell.

I would suggest to these people that they go back and see their GP

who can then look again at their signs and symptoms and look at whether there are other diagnoses that may have been overlooked

in a rush to get them up and a diagnosis of cancer excluded.

They are three ways you can go about getting a second opinion.

The first of which is to go back and see your GP

and your GP can talk you through what’s happened on your treatment plan

look at the issues that you might have with that treatment plan

and then arrange with you, a referral on to another oncologist, if that was felt by both of you to be appropriate.

The second option is to speak to your oncologist.

If you feel your treatment plan doesn’t fit with what you expected talk to your oncologist

they’re not scared, you’re not going to insult them, you’re not going to upset them

and they would much rather that you were honest with them and explained what your thought processes were

and why you were worried, and then if necessary then can ask a colleague oncologist to see you

to reassure you, if appropriate.

The third option, and the slightly more difficult option, is to do your own research

and to look at other regional treatment centres where you might want to get a second opinion

and in this case it’s often helpful to approach the hospital directly

who may then require an oncologist-to-oncologist transfer of notes and information in order to accept the referral.

There’s no need to be worried if you want to get a second opinion

no one’s going to think any less of you, it’s not going to influence or impact on your care

and the hospital are more than happy to talk you through the process often, and help you and support you to make sure the right information

goes to the right people to allow this to happen.

Ultimately what people want is for you to be comfortable and happy with the plan

and if there are ways they can facilitate that they will help you.

People worry that having a second opinion is going to be a difficult or traumatic process

that the hospital you’re being referred from or the hospital you’re being referred to

will be difficult or obstructive in some way.

Actually, the hospital wants you to be comfortable with what’s going on

and both the hospital that’s referring you and the hospital to which you’re being referred

are going to be helpful and accommodating

will be able to support you in this process.

Ultimately what everybody wants is for you to be comfortable and happy with your treatment plan

and for you to get the treatment that you want and that is clinically appropriate for you.

So they’ll do everything they can to facilitate that for you.

One of the big downsides to getting a second opinion is time.

We refer people up to the hospital under the ‘two-week wait’

so they’re seen very quickly because we know that early diagnosis is really important

but what’s also important is getting early treatment.

If you’re spending time getting a second opinion, seeing people, maybe having other tests and investigations

that’s time that you’re not having treatment and that may therefore have an impact on your prognosis.

By the time you see someone, and further assessments are made things may have moved on

you may find that treatment options are less than they were before.

Alternatively, you may just be told the same information you were told in the first instance

and unfortunately, you’ve then spent a wasted period of time that could have been spent on treatment.

There are upsides to getting a second opinion

and you may be given better news when you have your second opinion

it may be that the disease is more treatable than was originally thought

it may be that there are other treatment options that your other oncologist or previous oncologist was not able to offer you

and obviously that may be beneficial for you, for your family and those people that you love.

I think if you’re thinking about getting a second opinion, we’ve talked about the three different ways of doing it

but if you are thinking about getting a second opinion I would suggest going to see your GP.

You need to be very clear in your own mind about what you’re trying to achieve by getting a second opinion.

If you talk to your GP and use your GP as a sounding board for your thoughts and concerns and ideas

your GP should be able to give you some balanced opinion and idea

about whether getting a second opinion would be useful or not.

For information, help, or if you just want to chat

call the Macmillan support line on 0808 808 00 00

or visit macmillan.org.uk