IV Post

"After learning they have cancer, many patients are afraid to wait even a few days to start treatment for fear that any delay will prevent a cure. But studies have shown that taking a little time to learn about all of the available treatment options can give patients a better opportunity to make a well-informed choice," said Dr. K. Kian Ang, a radiation oncologist at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

A study published in the journal "Cancer" in 2006 found that half of all breast cancer patients who sought a second opinion from a multidisciplinary tumor board found at their treatment center received a change in their recommended treatment plan.

A tumor board is a group of physicians that reviews a patient's records to help the patient choose the best treatment. The board is usually made up of several cancer specialists, including a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, a surgeon, a pathologist and a diagnostic radiologist.

The study found that the reason for the change in treatment plans was that initial options presented to patients often do not include new techniques. Plus, during the second opinion, the doctors usually reviewed patients' imaging scans again, often resulting in a change in treatment plan.

Ang, who is on the board of directors for the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, encourages patients with cancer to speak with several specialists before settling on a course of treatment.

To help patients find a specialist, ASTRO has a "Doctor Finder" feature on its Web site, www.rtanswers.org. The site allows patients to search for a radiation oncologist near them, based on the physician's specialty, the patient's location and primary languages spoken. Resources are also available on the National Cancer Institute's Web site at www.cancer.gov.