Dcis

BB3312

Just diagnosed with tiny dot of Dcis living inside a tiny .3 cm Papilloma (sp?) Rt breast. Confused what to do as far as second opinion and treatment.

Should I see an oncologist first? Send labs to a bigger hospital? Go with the flow and trust it’s as easy as it seems to treat?

I’m a nervous person so that doesn’t help with the clear thinking. Thank you!

Salamandra

Hey BB3312,

When I was diagnosed, I asked my close friend who is a doctor at a university hospital (though not oncologist) about getting second opinions.

She said that it never hurts to get a second opinion, but also that I shouldn't feel pressured to get one if I felt comfortable and confident in my first opinion. She said that she rarely recommended googling symptoms, but she often recommends googling medical providers. You can see what their educational background is, what their active areas of research are, what their main practice areas are, etc.

I totally understand the nerves. You have to work with who you are. If you know you won't rest easy unless you've got a second opinion, go for that second opinion! If your gut wants to go with the first but you feel like you have to do due diligence, google the doctors who are doing your first opinion. If they seem like they work plenty with breast cancer and have solid treatment resources and facilities, feel good about going with them.

I find that it can help me to talk through things with a friend (or on here!) Just getting out everything in my head to a sympathetic listener who will listen to me and restate back my points, but not give me advice. Then I can get in touch with what I'm really feeling and wanting and go with that.

Ingerp

I was never big on getting a second opinion unless you don't trust your medical team. You can do enough reading on various threads here to see what treatment will likely be recommended for you. At this point a breast surgeon is your primary doc. I didn't have a medical oncologist for DCIS alone, but did have a radiation oncologist. The first decision many women face is whether to have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy followed by radiation. You will probably be told the probability of recurrence is the same either way. Find a hospital/treatment center you trust and go from there.

BB3312

thank you. I see from your signature that you had additional cancer after the lumpectomy/radiation.

Would you still do that again in hindsight? Hope you are doing well!

edwards750

I never considered a second opinion either because I checked out my BS beforehand. I remember reading that you should get a doctor who specializes in breast cancer not just a surgeon. My Ob-Gyn recommended both.

Also a friend with BC had him as her doctor and raved about him. He definitely had a stellar reputation and I read all the reviews about him as well. My MO was one he recommended at a very reputable cancer clinic in town. In fact it was the premier cancer clinic in town.

Neither of my doctors had great bedside manners but their staffs were compassionate and efficient. That’s not a deal breaker but given my DX I wanted to have a good relationship with my medical team and I did save a few bumps in the road like not returning phone calls. That issue was resolved with the help of my patient advocate.

I agree I wouldn’t opt for a second opinion unless you don’t feel confident in your doctors because what happens if for some inexplicable reason they have different opinions. Who do you choose then? Granted it’s not likely but what if it did happen?

We are all inundated with stats and information and it’s hard to sift through it all so it just comes down to trusting your medical team.

Good luck!

Diane