Second Opinions

Our ultimate goal is to see that every newly diagnosed cancer patient must receive a qualified second opinion prior to any treatment or no treatment. We believe that this could save more lives today than eliminating tobacco!

In a speech to the National Coalition of Cancer Survivors, Sandra Day O’Connor stated, “Let me tell you my dream ...to have a consultation with all the experts available at the same time, who’ve already looked at everything and they are all in the same place and there to help you reach a decision. The surgeon, the radiologist, the oncologist . . . everybody there to help you through the process of what to do. I think that would be terrific.”

Dr. John Glick at the Univ. of Pennsylvania Cancer Center states in Readers Digest that breast cancer and lymphoma patients who consult specialists on his staff have a major change in treatment plan in 20% of cases and a minor but significant change in another 25%.

The critical factor in properly treating any kind of cancer is that the patient make an informed decision. The only way for this to be done is for the patient to be honestly told everything that could effect their condition directly from the person most knowledgeable in that field. A surgeon should not elaborate on the effects of radiation and a radiation oncologist should not describe the problems with drug treatments. Each physician must honestly tell all the statistics and side effects of the therapy they are personally most familiar with. Then, and only then, can the patient make an informed decision.

Our goal is so ambitious that the chance of it succeeding is remote, but the rewards are so great that we must try. Our code has always been, “To achieve excellence, attempt perfection. Less is unacceptable.” How is this going to be accomplished? The only way I know of is the slow, hard way, one step at a time. We will enlist some 400 to 500 institutions around the US to offer a multidisciplinary second opinion with all the physicians whose specialty could possibly treat a patient present simultaneously. They will explain to the patient what each could do and what the side effects are and the statistics and what they would recommend. This must be available in every town in America.

Participating institutions will agree to make this available to all individuals diagnosed within three weeks of diagnosis or recurrence only. If the patient doesn’t think enough of their own life to get a second opinion while it is still most curable, we can not be concerned, and it will be up to the individual institution if they want to accept older cases. They may charge a fee and they may accept the patient for treatment. We hope each will work out a way for those who can not afford to pay to receive the service.

Once this service is established, a massive publicity campaign will get the public to get a second opinion and use the institutions who offer this service. This publicity, in the form of articles, editorials, ads, PSA’s, interviews, etc., will work to benefit institutions who join and to the detriment of those who do not. Hospitals today are hungry for business and cancer patients represent major revenue. We believe this will produce dramatic results for the institutions that cooperate. When it is in place and working, maybe someone somewhere can figure out how to make it mandatory so it will be as universal as having doctors board certified.

Is it worth the effort? While the survival statistics of cancer are constantly rising, the incidence is rising faster causing the mortality to increase. With this program in place, we feel the mortality could actually decline. The scientists have discovered the methods to treat most cancer patients. But they must be treated promptly, properly and thoroughly. Generally there is only one chance to beat most cancers. We want to see more people survive and live a quality of life after a diagnosis of cancer.

Institutions interested in joining in offering this service and receiving appropriate recognition should contact THE BLOCH CANCER HOTLINE, One H&R Block Way - Kansas City, MO 64105- phone 816-854-5050 - 1-800-433-0464 - hotline@hrblock.com