If you are reading this, it’s probably because you are one of the many people who believe that cancer can be cured. You might not know it yet, but even though scientific knowledge about the disease has advanced in the last few decades, some people still think that it isn’t possible to get rid of cancer completely.
That’s why they don’t spend much time thinking about what could possibly go wrong if they decide to get a second opinion on ailing body parts. It makes them cautious and keeps them from trying anything new including getting a second opinion on their own health! It’s also why they may not share their fear of disease with everyone else. If they think that others won’t understand or believe them, then they may be more likely to keep silent about potential side effects and unanticipated consequences.
What Can Go Wrong If You Think Cancer Cannot Be Cured?
This is an important question to ask before you start thinking about any treatment. You need to be aware of the potential side effects both for the person getting the treatment and for the people around them. If you are unsure how an approach might affect your loved ones, you are better off not trying anything new.
After all, what’s the point of improving your health if someone else gets hurt because of it? You also need to be aware of the potential for unmet medical needs. If you have a cancer diagnosis and aren’t taking any medications, you may feel unmet medical needs are met.
However, if you have to go to the doctor often because of a side effect of one of the medications you are taking, then you are probably not being treated fully or correctly. You need to be on the right medication, and you need to be taking it the right way. You also need to be aware that certain medications won’t suit everyone and will likely have unwanted side effects.
Some people worry that getting a second opinion on their own health might mean that they are choosing to be guinea pigs for new treatments and treatments that may not work for them. They worry that the people who know them best won’t understand their side effects or the unanticipated consequences of their choices.
They worry that having a second opinion will make them appear “weak” or “failing” and that others will be more likely to offer them help if they are seeking it. They may be afraid that a second opinion will make them feel guilty for choosing to get the treatment they have chosen themselves.
All of these things could happen, but they are unlikely. Getting a second opinion simply means that the doctor(s) who knows you the best will assess your health and give you an opinion that you can trust.
Should You Try a New Treatment?
All of this talk about potential side effects and unmet medical needs and whatnot has led some people to wonder: “Is there a point where trying a new treatment would be a bad idea?” At first, the answer might seem obvious no.
Even with the best of care, there is no guarantee that a patient will be able to prevent developing cancer. That’s why it is highly recommended that you get a second opinion on your own health. It’s also why you should get a second opinion on any treatments you are considering. You can’t just pull the “nuclear button” and decide to try something new.
Cancer can be a very scary disease to face. It can also be preventable with a little bit of knowledge, awareness, and common sense. The sooner you get a second opinion on your own health, the better. You don’t have to do anything special to get a second opinion and you don’t have to accept it.
You just need to ask for it and be ready to share your concerns and questions. You also need to make sure that the doctor(s) who gives you the second opinion understand you and your concerns. If they don’t, then they are not going to be able to help you as much as they would if they did.
(1). https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-we-truly-cure-cancer/
(2). https://www.healthline.com/health/is-there-a-cure-for-cancer
(3). https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/will-we-ever-cure-cancer