Private second opinion

[mindutopia]

Has anyone gone private for a second opinion in terms of cancer treatment options? If so, what did you do with that information and how did it help you?

I’m in a situation where I’ve had a recurrence after several surgeries and successful treatment (original staging 3c). Surgeon says it’s not worth doing more surgery because it’s likely spread beyond what he can take out and I need treatment. Oncologist says, no, need to have surgery and watch and wait.

I want more treatment, no surgery as it’s a fast growing aggressive cancer and clinical trials show that best outcomes are with immunotherapy, not more surgery.

If surgeon and oncologist can’t agree, what happens? I’ve had an initial chat with a private oncologist who agrees that treatment, not surgery is probably the best option. But obviously, I need to pay for a proper consultation for him to review my scans and reports. If I do that and he agrees with my NHS surgeon that I need treatment, is that helpful? Can I use it to push back on the NHS to provide treatment? Going fully private for treatment is an option, if I have to, but it wouldn’t be my preference, because I think treatment should be funded by the NHS as it’s pretty standard stuff. It just annoying me at the moment that everyone is dicking around and I just want to get on with it.

Can you not ask for a second opinion within the NHS? You could do this while you also seek a private opinion privately and use that to push back and say you want the treatment. I would imagine in this situation if you absolutely do not want the surgery and don’t consent to it, then even if they disagreed they would need to provide treatment? I completely agree that cancer treatment should not need to be obtained privately, if we can’t treat cancer patients on the NHS, what the hell is it for?!

Why don't you have a second opinion in the NHS? It's very commonly done. Both from a surgeon and oncologist.

Having a second opinion privately isn't going to help unless you can then afford the treatment suggested, which in oncology is likely to be hundreds of thousands of pounds.

This.

A second opinion privately has no “sway” with the NHS, so if you would have the treatment privately then it’s worth it but if not then it’s pointless.

Definitely ask for second opinion @mindutopia Wishing you all the best

AI suggests

How to Get a Second Opinion on the NHS

1. Ask your Current Consultant: You can directly ask your current oncologist to refer you to another specialist for a second opinion. Doctors often do this for complex cases, so you should not worry about offending them.
2. Go to your GP: If you are uncomfortable asking your oncologist, or if they are hesitant to refer you, go back to your GP. Explain your concerns and ask for a referral to a different consultant.
3. Specify a Specialist: You can ask for a referral to a specific consultant or a specialist cancer center that may have more in-depth knowledge of your condition.
4. Use PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service): If you have difficulty getting a referral, contact the PALS team at your hospital. They can provide advice and help you navigate the process.

*just to clarify; initially go for a second opinion on the NHS.

Don't most of our specialists work within both the NHS and the private sector, they're not two separate pools. Unless they only treat the high-net-worth individuals.

That's my understanding anyways

Correct. There are very few consultants in this sphere who do only private. They are catering to people either with vast amounts of money, or people who are willing to spend all their and their families money to carry on being treated when other consultants have told them there are no further options.

It's unlikely that most people will know the name of the best person to get a second opinion from. If you are being treated at a local hospital you usually get offered someone at the nearest cancer centre. If you are already at a major cancer centre then you get offered someone at a different cancer centre.

You won't be upsetting anyone by asking. A second opinion from the Marsden for example is a really normal part of oncology care.

The thing is, OP, it's is entirely normal and possible for different doctors to have different opinions - it doesn't mean that either of them are wrong, just that there are options. If you get yet another opinion, how does that help you?
It may be easier to ask for an MDT meeting (ie NHS) so that everyone can share their views, and try to work towards a plan.

Thank you for this. I feel really strongly that I should have treatment, not surgery. I can already see another area of recurrence popping up in addition to the other two. It feels like we’re just cats chasing our tails and will never catch up with surgery because there will always be a new mets popping up that we didn’t see last week. My surgeon seems to agree with this, but I think oncology would probably like to save money on further treatment. I’m stage 3, so it’s not like I’m a write off yet.

But thank you, you’ve given me a better perspective on approaches I could take. I think I will go back and say, I’m not agreeing to further surgery at this stage and it needs to go back to the MDT with that in mind. If I need to, I will contact PALS. My surgeon is so lovely and supportive and I can see he’s trying to do his best, but maybe coming up against a brick wall.

Hi OP,
I have a recurrence of a previous cancer and am on treatment at a very well known cancer hospital. I requested a second opinion at a clinic in the opposite end of the county (which also treats my type of cancer) I have an appointment with them at the end of February ( NHS)

You can ask for as many opinions as you feel necessary, they don’t need to be private.

Best of luck.

I would personally request a second opinion from a different hospital, not a re-review by the current MDT. I’d highly recommend The Royal Marsden.

I asked my surgeon to recommend oncologist who would support treatment and he did, writing a strongly worded letter that got me an appointment and treatment within weeks.
I agree it’s tricky to know always who is the best person to ask, just keep asking I think is best advice 🤷🏼‍♀️