A new study shows that getting a second opinion when diagnosed with breast cancer can make a big difference for the patient. The researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor reported that more than half of breast cancer patients that sought a second opinion got a different recommendation for treatment. The second opinions were from a multidisciplinary tumor board. The board includes many specialists who treat breast cancer. The tumor board usually consists of surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and pathologists working together to find the most optimal treatment for the patient.

Sometimes first treatment recommendations do not consider new techniques. The tumor board can help patients make those difficult treatment decisions they are faced with when diagnosed. Most of the time the patient will see the specialists individually. This can be fine and is what I encountered when diagnosed, however, more heads working together seem to be a better option especially if you are a breast cancer patient with a case that falls in one of those gray areas where the need for radiation or chemotherapy is questionable.

I think this approach is becoming a more popular way to find the best treatment option for breast cancer patients. If a tumor board is not something that you can utilize it is still in the patient's best interest to seek out a second opinion when they can to make sure they are hearing what all of their options are for better decision making.