As a survivor of two types of breast cancer, one lobular 24 yrs ago & inflammatory metastatic 8 yrs. I am now Ovarian fighter since 2018 with chemo & recurrence in 2021 with full chemo. Was on Zejula PARP inhibitor 13 months and I now have a 2nd recurrence & have begun 6 cycles of chemo this week once again! My point in giving you my history is because second opinions saved my life twice and my local long time oncologist has ALWAYS welcomed my getting 2nd opinions. If a doc does not agree on going for another opinion RUN from that doc, it's a Red Flag!

Even if you're happy with your doctor, I've found that every doctor has some unique insight. I went through 5 doctors. The first 4 all said my tumor was inoperable. Doctor 5 recommended surgery, that was in 2014. Doctor #1 told me I was out of options. I'd be dead if I had not questioned his advice. Never be afraid to get 2nd, 3rd or more opinions. This is YOUR life.

I had my surgery at University of Chicago Medicine and spent 5 days in the hospital. They also removed my appendix & gallbladder. I don’t really know how HIPEC affected my recovery from surgery, but it has been 3 years and 3 mos. and I have not had a recurrence yet (knock on wood). I also took Lynparza for 2 years following my last chemo treatment.

ALWAYS get a 2nd opinion. I'd probably be dead if I listened to the first oncologist I was sent to. My life isn't what it used to be for sure but I'm not dead.

I requested a second opinion from my primary care MD and had already checked with my insurance to see where I could go in network. I was not unhappy with my first gynecological oncologist but I ended up having my debulking surgery at a larger medical center that offered HIPEC treatment and had a larger surgical team to remove my appendix & gallbladder as well. Definitely glad I did!