Online Second Medical Opinions for Cancer Diagnoses Gain Exceptional Importance in Recent Years

Activ Doctors Online, provider of online Personal Health Record (PHR) services and Online Second Medical Opinions, sees unprecedented evidence revealing the major importance of seeking second medical opinions for cancer diagnoses. End Quote

Miami, FL (1888PressRelease) February 28, 2011 - Recent research and tendencies in health care point to the paramount importance of obtaining a second opinion for cancer diagnoses. A number of studies conducted over the past five years have overwhelmingly found that not only is it pivotal to obtain a independent medical advice from cancer specialists, but also from experts in connected medical disciplines before beginning any type of cancer treatment.

In fact, an increasing number of medical centers have installed second opinion boards where specialists from a variety of cancer-related fields meet to analyze patient cases, study treatment options, discuss possible interpretive differences regarding test results or diagnoses, or divergent medical opinions. For example, a very realistic diagnostic discord could consist in one surgeon electing a specifically aggressive and invasive treatment path, while another could perceive the cancer to be entirely inoperable. Divergent opinions of this type are not uncommon considering that a cancer diagnosis is not always irrefutable fact.The results of a biopsy procedure may not produce an easily observable difference between malignant cells and non-malignant cells. This leaves a rather elevated possibility of conflicting diagnoses delivered by physicians. A recent study reported in the journal Cancer found that about 12% of cancer patients in the United States are victims of an initial misdiagnosis. With rates of misdiagnosis being so astonishingly high, and new cases being reported every day, a medical second opinion could be extremely vital in saving a patients' time, money, or even life.

Nonetheless, obtaining a second opinion does not necessarily have to reflect a situation of disagreement between doctor and patient, but should rather be understood a necessary precautionary step. Requesting medical advice online with Activ Doctors is exceptionally simple. A team of experts in that field reviews all pertinent documentation related to the initial diagnosis or lack thereof. This way, Activ Doctors Online virtually eliminates the concern of limited mobility or cumbersome geographical distances. Additionally, patients can obtain a Second Opinion report within just 48 hours of submitting their medical records. If getting one can save a life, perhaps it's time for people turn on their computers.

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