After hearing certain diagnoses or medical recommendations, you may feel as though a bucket of cold water was just upended over your head.
That is, sometimes your primary care doctor or gynecologist may leave you feeling more worried or confused than you had felt prior to walking in the door. But then, what do you do after receiving jarring news?
Simple: If you feel unsure of the medical advice you’ve received, or if you’ve received a diagnosis that is considered serious in nature (such as with uterine fibroids), you should always seek a second opinion.
Why Second Opinions Are Important
Second opinions are available for the purpose of empowering patients with knowledge, offering peace of mind, and ensuring they are being provided with both the correct diagnosis and treatment plan(s).
“Second opinions can offer valuable information and should always be considered after a diagnosis of serious illness or a recommendation for surgery,” according to Harvard Health. “These decisions can have major consequences on your future health.”
As a matter of fact, a study conducted in 2015 found that not only did second opinions alter the recommended treatment procedures for 37 percent of participating patients, but another 15 percent experienced a change in overall diagnosis.
How Second Opinions May Alter Your Uterine Fibroid Treatment
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that approximately 500,000 women get hysterectomies each year in the United States. Uterine fibroids are reportedly one of the most common reasons women undergo this surgical procedure.
Research indicates, however, that second opinions provide many women with the opportunity to discover and receive less invasive treatment options — the likes of which most women prefer.
Specifically, researchers with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that second opinions drastically reduced the likelihood that a woman would need to have a hysterectomy. After consulting physicians at UCLA for a second opinion, only 4.4 percent were recommended to continue with their original hysterectomy treatment plans, whereas the others were able to undergo various uterine-preserving treatments.
Finding A Locally Trusted Center For Your Second Opinion
Once you’ve committed to finding a reliable second opinion, all that is left is to determine who to set up an appointment with.
And that’s why Duval Vascular & Fibroid Center has asserted itself as Jacksonville’s specialized uterine fibroid center, whose mission is to educate women on their fibroid options — such as uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) — with the ultimate goal of helping them to find lasting, minimally-invasive relief.
If you’re ready to find answers with a locally trusted team, it’s time to contact Duval Vascular & Fibroid Center! Call us today at (904) 423-6017 to learn more and schedule your consultation.
