WISDOM FROM THE HOUSE: WHY GET A SECOND OPINION?

EDUCATING CANCER PATIENTS IS EMPOWERMENT 101
By: Geri Barish, founder of the Hewlett House

Having survived 5 cancers, it became clear to me that dedicating my life's work to being a support resource to anyone diagnosed with cancer is a calling worth responding. This includes survivors and those who are concerned about recurrence. When we first launched HEWLETT HOUSE back in 1990, we met so many individuals daily- reaching out for help by asking questions like- “HOW or WHY did I get Cancer?”… “What did I do wrong?" - I also get questions like "I found a doctor on the internet... should I believe what he or she tells me?" This indicates the lack of information and guidance out there, confirming MY role in this world with EDUCATION.  Over time, we received great support from the county and the state, and we also met with so many experts like Dr. Robert Bard (cancer radiologist), Dr. Roberta Kline (genomics specialist) who are with us to help answer more questions and bring clinical support to those in need.  Partners like these help to make HEWLETT HOUSE the central hub to all patients and caregivers. 

GETTING A SECOND OPINION
I have and always will be someone who pushes for a second opinion.  You only have one life... once its cut, burn and slash, its too late to turn back!  I have a closet that I call my “Cancer Corner”.  It has all my reports-copies of tests-and everything that is about my disease.  I tell people what if the Doctor retires or moves or you move or the hospital goes out of business-you don’t have to go through all of this again-they can compare-also we pushed for a federal law a  few years ago that the patient can get a copy of his or her pathology report.  I will be happy to tell you why we pushed for this and the result.  We are awaiting for Chuck Schumer to put on the floor the MCED Bill-which is a blood test for 94 cancers that Medicare and Medicaid have to pay for.

HOW EDUCATION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
As advocates, we need to be gentle and precise without instilling fear (there's enough fear-mongering in the "cancer business").  The unknown and the word CANCER is quite chilling. Educating the patient on asking the right questions is first base.  I have always told my patients or people who ask me if I made the right decision in picking this hospital or that doctor instead of jumping into the diagnosis immediately.  Questioning the first doc(s) and going for a SECOND OPINION is extremely important.  When diagnosis first happens, you usually have a little time to make that ultimate decision. I explain that we are all made up of different genes and even though our cancers might have the same name, each person is different. You have to make sure you TRUST your doctor enough to feel that you are in the right hands.  The internet can be dangerous as it does not talk to you personally so the cancer you might have looked up is broad and general.  Know your history when you are speaking to the Doctor. I try to give as much information on the type of Cancer and research.  

I explain Clinical Trials if I see that a patient has been diagnosed with an advanced Cancer. We work with the Key Clubs in Schools on projects to educate on History and Cancer.  We try to help the person understand that they would have a copy of everything that is done including x-rays, blood work, scans, mammos this saves time in getting a second opinion so a new doctor can look at what you just have done.  Patients are often concerned about insurance issues and are often concerned if they are actually covered for their 2nd or even 3rd opinions.  (We found that most can actually be covered, but our work helps the patient get this to happen).

IT TAKES A VILLAGE
I have aligned with some of the most caring alliances like the WOMEN'S HEALTH COLLABORATIVE and NYCRA’s ULTRASOUND COALITION to extend the reach of my care to everyone diagnosed. As the battle rages on, educating and empowering patients make up a vast majority of the fight.  Where something as sensible as getting a SECOND OPINION should be the base action when you get diagnosed, there are still so many out there that are struck with FEAR & DENIAL, or financial struggles... and of course I get involved in those cases also.  But if we all joined hands to tackle such obstacles in this CANCER arena, I can see us getting the drop on this disease.

Published by: the AngioMedical Press- distributed by PinkSmartNews, NYCRANEWS, 2ndOpinionScan.com and The Journal of Modern Healing.