How to Obtain a Second Opinion for a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

In men, cancer of the prostate gland is usually diagnosed when a doctor finds a malignant growth as the result of a blood test or physical examination. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is always a good idea to seek a second opinion, particularly if you are otherwise in good health.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Oncologist (tumor specialist)

Instructions

1. Acknowledge the possibility that if you belong to an at-risk group, the initial diagnosis could very well be accurate. Men 65 or older are far more likely to develop prostate cancer than younger men, and African American men suffer from prostate cancer at a rate that is 60 percent higher than the rate affecting Caucasian men.

2. Know the different techniques used to detect prostate cancer. Though blood testing and digital rectal examinations remain the most common detection methods, you can also obtain confirmation of the presence of prostate cancer through analysis of tissue samples and X-ray examination.

3. Contact your health insurance provider and arrange a meeting with a coordinator if you have already received a positive diagnosis. He or she will have a great deal of resources at his or her disposal to help you find an accredited doctor who can give you a second opinion.

4. Get in touch with the American Cancer Society (see Resources below) or the local cancer society in your country or jurisdiction. They can direct you to accredited and qualified specialists you can consult to obtain a second opinion.

5. Learn more about the list of doctors you're considering when trying to obtain a second opinion. Know how experienced and how highly recommended they are, and choose a specialist who commands respect from his or her peers.

6. Seek treatment instead of another opinion if you receive a second positive diagnosis. Chances are quite low that you will receive a pair of errant diagnoses.

7. Stay positive and get plenty of rest. You'll need to keep your spirits and your strength up to beat prostate cancer.

Tips & Warnings

• All patients have rights. Remember that information in your medical file is strictly confidential, and that your employment is protected by law if you need to take time off for medical treatment.

• Make sure to ask your doctor about the different methods of detecting prostate cancer. The majority of men find the gathering of tissue samples for a prostate cancer biopsy to be uncomfortable, and less invasive diagnostic techniques may be possible, depending on the specifics of your case.

• Seek secondary treatment if you become emotionally distressed following a prostate cancer diagnosis. Feelings of depression and despair are common and can be treated a variety of ways. Consult a mental health professional as part of your cancer treatment program. You'll need mental strength to effectively fight your condition.