Question about second opinion on cancer

[jansus]

posting for a friend.

 

He had kidney cancer and the kidney was removed. He had a scan and was told verbally everything was ok - but now on a visit to the consultant it seems he had secondary cancer in the lung. He was not given a lot of info except they have to wait to see if it grows and he will not have another scan for 6 months.

 

understandably he is not really happy with that, and a relative who is concerned that he is quite young and has 8 children has kindly offered to pay for private care.

 

I guess at this stage it will be a second opinion.

 

Question - how does a person arrange that - do they go back to their GP first?

If they only have a second opinion /scan - can they then have the treatment under the NHS?

There is a NHS hospital nearby that specialises in cancer care but he has not been referred there , could he ask for treatment at another hospital?

 

thanks

[kurvaface]

Your GP would understand you asking for a second opinion and that would be the best place to start. Do it sooner rather than later.

Good luck:)

[Sali]

The GP may well ask you who you would like to provide the second opinion. Do some research beforehand so that you are prepared. It'll speed things along.

[jansus]

Thanks for that I guess he would try and contact a private hopital that specialises in cancer care. I get the feeling he would just like someone to say that 6 months is too long to wait for the next scan.

[kurvaface]

Your gp could arrange a private scan for you anytime. Then you would need to see someone to interpret the results.