Needing Guidance for Getting a Second Opinion on Breast Cancer Treatment

coffeegin

I have a dear, bright young friend from Thailand, who speaks some English and lives in Texas. Her efforts to get medical follow-up — let alone a 2nd opinion — are undermined and shamed. She is asking me (someone unfamiliar with all of this) for help.

Her recent 2nd bout with (Stage 1) breast cancer resulted in a double mastectomy. At home, she has negative support for any form of treatment, so cannot look there for help in understanding 1.) what she reads on her medical paperwork, or 2.) how to go about getting a 2nd opinion. (After her 1st surgery 5 years ago, she stopped her taking tamoxifen because of this negative support .)

Besides this strong daily undermining of treatment, she is nervous/uncomfortable with the prescribed oncology regimen because: 1.) she currently feels fine and knows that her previous treatment left her exhausted and unable to meet her children's needs, and 2.) she is reading about negative side effects like brittle bones, heart problems, etc.

Can anyone suggest a clear, easy-to-understand guide for getting a 2nd opinion on the best treatment for her?

exbrnxgrl

I’m sorry your friend is going through this. Depending on her health insurance, a second opinion can be as easy as calling any oncologist who accepts her insurance. Alternatively, she can call a medical facility, like MD Anderson, and arrange for a second opinion. Additionally, she may want to ask for translation services, to assist her in understanding her current situation. Who is undermining and shaming her? Getting a second opinion is as common as sand on the beach!
In terms of tamoxifen or any other continuing treatment, yes, the side effects are well known. One simply has to decide how much risk they’re willing to take vs reward. You also need to look at whether a side effect is common or low incidence, as not all side effects should raise equal concern. Personally, if I had been dx’ed with bc multiple times, I’d seriously consider taking the meds to help prevent further recurrences, particularly a metastatic recurrence which is incurable. Unfortunately, feeling fine is not an indication of the state of one’s breast cancer. You can have bc, even metastatic, and feel fine, sometimes for long periods of time, while the cancer silently moves to other locations in one’s body. So again, risk vs reward.
I am not understanding what appears to be a lack of support and understanding by her family, so cannot speak to that but I do know that by acting that way they are likely adding to her doubts and anxiety. Thank you for being a good friend!