A cancer diagnosis is devastating and can be confusing. With so many different treatments available, how do you make sure you’re getting the right treatment plan?
Getting a second opinion is best practice, explained Dr. Najeeb Al Hallak from Karmanos Cancer Institute.
“When someone gets diagnosed with cancer, it’s devastating. It’s life-changing, altering for you and for your loved ones, so going to a doctor and listening to this diagnosis, the stage, the treatment plan, makes you all confused,” Dr. Al Hallak said. “At that point you want to make sure you’re getting the best care, you’re getting the right diagnosis, the right stage. Is this really the right plan for me? Is there something better?”
Charlene Zezawa is a cancer survivor who chose to get a second opinion herself. After being rushed to the ER in November of 2023, she was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer, which had spread to surrounding lymph nodes and throughout her liver.
“It was very shocking, and I started an aggressive treatment with chemotherapy and immunotherapy with the same doctor I saw at the ER,” Zezawa said.
Zezawa explained that a few months into her treatment it seemed like it was best to get some reassurance that they were on the right track and getting the right treatment, so she turned to Karmanos.
She transitioned over to Karmanos after finishing the chemotherapy portion of her treatment in June of 2024. Zezawa said she’s currently “doing well” and had a “really good test result in April.”
If you’d like a second opinion on a cancer diagnosis, you can call 1-800-KARMANOS, or visit karmanos.org/secondopinion.