Many cancer patients are dying, not because treatments are not available, but because the initial physician failed to offer the best possible treatment. Cancer is an unusual disease for many reasons – if you don’t treat it properly the first time, often there is no second chance because cancer grows geometrically.
Often an initial treatment precludes the proper treatment from being given later. Doctors are humans and could make a mistake. Rarely is cancer diagnosed by an oncologist (It is generally diagnosed by an optometrist, gynecologist, urologist, dermatologist, GI, GP, etc.) and that doctor may not want to lose the revenue or admit that someone knows more than he does. Of most importance is not what treatments a patient receives or from whom, but that the patient is entitled to make an informed decision. Being told that nothing can be done, that surgery is required tomorrow or take these pills and come back in 90 days is not making an informed decision.
A recent press release by the National Cancer Policy Board was a giant step in the right direction. They stated what poor treatment Americans are receiving for cancer. Many doctors are simply not knowledgeable about the most recent treatment developments, according to their report. Research shows, for example, that Tamoxifen is the best treatment for post-menopausal women with breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes, but only 60% of such women receive the drug.
The National Cancer Institute has stated that if physicians would use the recommended treatments in Physician Data Query today, some 10% of those dying from cancer could be saved. Ernest and Isadora Rosenbaum, oncologists and authors of an article in this publication, state, “Over 50 percent of persons diagnosed with it (cancer) can be cured, and the rate increases to 75 percent when good preventive and diagnostic procedures are followed.” In other words, they imply that prompt proper treatment could reduce cancer mortality 50%! Prompt second opinions upon diagnosis would save between 50,000 and 250,000 American lives annually. The ultimate solution is a multidisciplinary second opinion. This is where a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist and surgeon, if their specialty is applicable to the specific type of cancer, review a case and discuss it openly together in front of the patient. This way a patient understands all their options and is able to make an informed decision.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY SECOND OPINION INSTITUTIONS
Updated April 11, 2013 The following institutions have advised they will, when requested by a cancer patient, provide a second opinion or a multidisciplinary second opinion.
BL indicates the institution provides bilingual assistance.
| ST | CITY | BL | CENTER | CONTACT | PHONE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AL | Birmingham | Birmingham Baptist Medical Center | Bob Princeton | 205-783-7484 | |
| AL | Huntsville | Crestwood Medical Center | Pam Hudson, MD | 256-880-4161 | |
| AL | Mobile | University of South Alabama Hospitals - Mobile Infirmary Medical Center | Marcel Conrad, MD | 251-435-2400 | |
| AR | Little Rock | BL | Arkansas Cancer Research Center | Brian Dinsmore | 501-296-1505 ext. 1906 |
| AR | Little Rock | BL | St. Vincent Cancer Center | Pam Weaver | 800-446-7341 |
| CA | Berkeley | Alta Bates Hospital, Herrick Campus - Breast Only | Receptionist | 510-204-6752 | |
| CA | Daly City | Seton Medical Center | Rose Silver | 415-750-5848 | |
| CA | Los Angeles | Cedars-Sinai Health System & Hospital | Zahir Ali | 800-233-2771 | |
| CA | Los Angeles | USC/Norris Comp. Ca. Ctr. & Hospital | Staff | 323-865-3000 | |
| CA | Oakland | BL | Alameda County Medical Center | Laura | 510-437-4997 |
| CA | La Jolla | Scripps Green/Scripps Clinic | Paulette Geiger | 858-554-8384 | |
| CA | Loma Linda | Loma Linda University Cancer Institute Resource Ctr. | Judy Chatigny | 909-558-3389 | |
| CA | Palm Springs | BL | Desert Hospital Comprehensive Ca. Ctr. | Elber Camacho, MD | 760-416-4880 |
| CA | Pasadena | BL | Huntington Cancer Center | Lynette Ballard | 626-397-5074 |
| CA | Redwood City | Sequoia | Rose Silver | 415-750-5848 | |
| CA | Sacramento | Sutter Cancer Center | Staff | 916-453-3306 | |
| CA | San Francisco | thesecondopinion | Staff | 415-775-9956 | |
| CA | San Francisco | BL | Saint Francis Memorial Hospital | 415-353-6501 | |
| CA | San Francisco | St. Mary's Hospital & Medical Center - Breast Cancer only | 415-668-1000 ext. 6100 | ||
| CA | San Francisco | UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center | Staff | 415-885-3693 | |
| CA | Stanford | BL | Stanford Univ.Medical Center | New Patient Coordinator | 650-723-7621 |
| CA | Stockton | BL | St. Joseph's Cancer Center | Dorene Tomei | 209-467-6560 |
| CO | Pueblo | St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center | Cathy Gepfert | 719-560-5525 | |
| CT | New Haven | Yale University | Dr. Vincent DeVita, Jr. | 203-785-4095 | |
| DC | Washington | Lombardi Cancer Center | Receptionist | 202-784-4000 | |
| FL | Jacksonville | BL | Univ. of Florida Shands Cancer Center | Amanda Baeker | 904-244-1045 |
| FL | Miami | BL | UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center | Melissa Martinez Physician Referral | 305-243-5302 305-243-5757 |
| FL | Orlando | MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando | New Patient Referral | 321-841-1869 | |
| FL | Pensacola | The Baptist Ca. Ctr. | Marcia DeSonier | 850-469-2224 | |
| FL | Sarasota-Manatee | Cancer Center of Sarasota-Manatee & Bradenton location | Receptionist is point of contact at both locations schedule appts. & other arrangements | 941-923-1872 Bradenton 941-755-0606 |
|
| FL | St. Petersburg | BL | All Childrens Hospital | Receptionist | 727-767-4176 |
| FL | Tampa | BL | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center | Cancer Answers | 800-456-7121 |
| GA | Atlanta | DeKalb Medical Center | Cancer Center Easy Access | 404-EASY (3279) | |
| GA | Savannah | The Curtis & Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute | Mary Blaney, RN BSN OCN | 877-224-8515 | |
| GA | Savannah | Nancy & J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion at St. Joseph's/Candler Institute | Wanda Jones, RN | 912-692-6449 | |
| GA | Thomasville | Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology Center | Esther Reeves | 800-852-2694 | |
| GA | Valdosta | Pearlman Cancer Center - South Georgia Medical Center | Laquita Johnson | 229-259-4622 | |
| HI | Honolulu | BL | Straub Clinic &Hospital | Tracey Hewitt, RN | 808-522-3335 |
| IA | Des Moines | John Stoddard Cancer Center/Iowa Methodist Med. Ctr. | Representative | 515-282-2921 | |
| IA | Iowa City | Univ of Iowa Clinical Cancer Center | Peter R. Jochimsen, MD | 319-356-3584 | |
| ID | Coeur d'Alene | North Idaho Cancer Center | Catherine Bull | 208-625-4719 208-625-4703 |
|
| IL | Chicago | Children's Memorial Hospital | Morris Kletzel, M.D. | 773-880-4562 | |
| IL | Chicago | Northwestern Memorial Hospital | Representative | 312-695-0990 | |
| IL | Chicago | Saint Mary of Nazareth Cancer Center | Dr. Korather Thomas | 312-770-2293 | |
| IL | Chicago | Rush Cancer Institute(Presb.St.LukesMed) | Representative | 773-227-8870 | |
| IL | Chicago | University of Chicago Medical Center - NCI Comp. Cancer Ctr. | Intake Coordinators | 855-702-8222 | |
| IL | Joliet | Provena St. Joseph Medical Center | Andrew Tanner, MD | 815-741-7560 | |
| IL | Maywood | Cardinal Bernardine Cancer Center, Loyola University Med. Ctr. | Representative | 708-226-4357 | |
| IL | Zion | Cancer Treatment Center at Midwestern Regional Med. Ctr. | Second Opinion Staff | 800-333-2822 | |
| IN | Fort Wayne | Cancer Resource Ctr. of Lutheran Hospital | Linda Jordan | 260-435-7959 | |
| IN | Goshen | Center for Cancer Care | Stacey | 866-226-2371 or 866-775-4673 | |
| IN | Indianapolis | Indiana University Melvin & Bren Simon Cancer Center (NCI Designation) | Patient Services Requires a physician referral | 317-278-4822 | |
| IN | Indianapolis | St. Vincent Cancer Center& | Staff | 866-415-6789 | |
| IN | Plymouth | Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Ctr. | Second Opinion Representative | 574-935-2353 | |
| IN | South Bend | St. Joseph's Regional Medical Ctr. | Second Opinion Representative | 574-237-8010 | |
| KS | Garden City | The Cancer Center at St. Catherine Hospital | Surendra Verma, MD | 620-272-2102 | |
| KS | Hutchinson | BL | Chalmers Cancer Treatment Center | Steve Braun, M.D. | 316-662-1212 |
| KS | Kansas City | Heartland Cancer Research and Treatment Center | Diane Fletcher | 913-236-6986 | |
| KS | Kansas City | BL | University of Kansas Medical Center | Physician Referral, RN | 913-588-1227 |
| KY | Owensboro | Owensboro Mercy Health System | Rhonda Paul | 270-688-2768 | |
| KY | Bowling Green | Greenview Regional Hospital | Representive | 270-793-3010 | |
| KY | Louisville | Norton Hospital Cancer Help Line | Judy Fisher | 800-555-6772 | |
| LA | New Orleans | Ochsner Cancer Institute | Sue Champagne | 504-842-3910 | |
| MA | Boston | Brigham and Women's Hospital | Representative | 800-320-0022 | |
| MA | Boston | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | Representative | 800-320-0022 | |
| MA | Boston | Boston Medical Center | Staff | 617-638-6428 | |
| MA | Boston | St. Elizabeth's Medical Center | Margaret Sullivan | 617-789-2442 | |
| MA | Boston | New England Medical Center | Elaine Gauthier | 617-636-2626 | |
| MD | Baltimore | The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins | Representative | 410-955-8964 | |
| MD | Baltimore | U of MD Greenebaum Cancer Center | Kevin J. Cullen, M.D. | 410-328-7904 | |
| MD | Baltimore | St. Agnes Health Care-Cancer Center | Carol Webb | 410-368-3412 | |
| MD | Towson | Greater Baltimore Medical Center | Sarah Jacque | 443-849-3322 | |
| ME | Lewiston | Central Maine Medical Center | Nicholette Erickson, MD | 207-795-2935 | |
| ME | Scarborough | Maine Medical Center | Robert Hillman, MD | 207-885-7680 | |
| MI | Ann Arbor | University of Michigan Comprehensive Ca Ctr | Cancer Information Nurses | 800-865-1125 | |
| MI | Detroit | Josephine Ford CancerCenter | Representative | 888-734-5322 | |
| MI | Detroit | Karmanos Cancer Institute | Judy Hatfield | 800-527-6266 | |
| MI | Kalamazoo | West Michigan Cancer Center | Representative | 616-382-2500 | |
| MN | Duluth | Duluth Clinic Cancer Center | Representative | 218-786-3625 | |
| MN | Minneapolis | Park Nicollet Cancer Center | Nan Quade | 952-993-2068 | |
| MN | Minneapolis | Hennepin Comprehensive Ca. Ctr. | Rita Larson | 612-347-8781 | |
| MN | Robbinsdale | Hubert H. Humphrey Cancer Center | Linda Johnson, MS | 763-520-1144 | |
| MO | Kansas City | St. Luke's Hospital | St. Luke's Cancer Institute accepts only doctor referrals. | 816-932-6220 | |
| MO | Kansas City | Children's Mercy Hospital | Alan S. Gamis, MD | 816-234-3265 | |
| MO | St. Louis | Barnes-Jewish Hospital | Staff - automated system - punch 3 | 800-600-3606 | |
| MO | St. Louis | St. John's Mercy Cancer Center | Cancer Answer Line | 314-251-6400 | |
| MS | Columbus | Baptist Memorial Hospital | Lisa Colvin | 662-244-4673 | |
| MT | Bozeman | Bozeman Deaconess Cancer Center | Jill Welch | 406-585-5070 | |
| MT | Helena | St. Peter's Hospital | Scott S. Smith, CMD | 406-444-2381 | |
| NC | Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina-Clinical Cancer Center | Sandra | 919-966-4224 | |
| NC | Charlotte | Presbyterian Cancer Center | Genella Roseboro | 704-384-5373 | |
| NC | Durham | Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center | Duke Consultation & Referral Ctr. | 800-633-3853 | |
| NC | Greensboro | Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center - Moses Cone Health System | Nick Carroll, New Patient Coordinator | 336-832-0754 | |
| NE | Omaha | Univ. of Nebraska Eppley Cancer Center | Kenneth Cowan,MD, PhD | 402-559-4238 | |
| NE | Omaha | Methodist Cancer Center | Kathy Christiansen | 402-354-5276 | |
| NE | Scottsbluff | Regional West Medical Center | Jerry Pope | 308-630-1145 | |
| NH | Lebanon | Norris Cotton Cancer Center | Deb Steele | 800-639-6918 | |
| NJ | Hackensack | The Cancer Center at Hackensack University Med. Ctr. | Patient Referrals | 201-996-5855 | |
| NJ | New Brunswick | The Cancer Institute of New Jersey | New Patient Referrals | 732-235-6777 | |
| NM | Albuquerque | Dr. Paul R. Duncan | St. Joseph Healthcare | 505-938-5858 | |
| NM | Albuquerque | Presbyterian Healthcare Services | Jamie McDonald | 505-841-1561 | |
| NV | Las Vegas | University Medical Center | Fina Wardle | 702-383-2500 | |
| NV | Reno | Washoe Medical Center | Cancer Services | 775-982-5638 | |
| NY | Binghamton | Lourdes Reg Cancer Center | Robin Donohoe | 607-798-5307 | |
| NY | Bronx | BL | Our Lady Of Mercy Cancer Center | Peter H. Wiernik, MD | 718-304-7220 |
| NY | New York | BL | Ruttenberg Ca. Ctr. Mount Sinai Med. Ctr. | Karen Waite | 212-241-6756 |
| NY | New York | BL | St. Luke's Roosevelt Cancer Center | Thelma M. Navarro | 212-844-8238 |
| NY | New York | BL | Beth Israel Cancer Center | Thelma M. Navarro | 212-844-8238 |
| NY | Rochester | Univ. of Rochester Cancer Center | 2nd Opinion Info. | 585-275-5830 | |
| OH | Cincinnati | BL | Children's Hospital Medical Center | Debra Freese | 513-303-1709 |
| OH | Cleveland | Cleveland Clinic - Cancer Center | Representative | 216-444-7923 | |
| OH | Cleveland | Ireland Cancer Center(Univ.) | Rosalie Tyner | 800-641-2422 | |
| OH | Columbus | Arthur James Ca Hosp/Ohio State Univ. | Dr. David Schuller | 800-293-5066 | |
| OH | Delaware | Grady Memorial Hospital | Vicki Maggard | 740-368-5383 | |
| OH | Mayfield Heights | Merida Hillcrest Hospital | Virginia Kerekes | 440-473-4228 | |
| OH | Warren | Trumbull Memorial Hospital | Nancy Hopsdor | 330-884-4152 | |
| OH | Youngstown | Northside Medical Center | Nancy Hopsdor | 330-884-4152 | |
| OK | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma University Medical Center - Children as well | Kathy Baker | 405-271-2627 | |
| OK | Tulsa | Cancer Treatment Center of Tulsa | Pattie Berens | 800-333-2822 | |
| OR | Portland | Adventist Medical Center | Gerry Taylor | 503-251-6263 | |
| OR | Portland | Legacy Cancer Services | Charlyn Wilson | 503-413-7250 | |
| OR | Portland | Oregon Health ServicesUniversity | Debbie Sannes | 503-494-6594 | |
| PA | Philadelphia | Cancer Treatment Center at Eastern Regional Med. Ctr. | Second Opinion Staff | 800-333-2822 | |
| PA | Philadelphia | BL | Fox Chase Cancer Center | Patricia Stanley | 215-728-3622 |
| PA | Philadelphia | BL | Frankford Hospital Cancer Center | Patient Referral | 215-612-4300 |
| PA | Philadelphia | BL | Jefferson's Kimmel Cancer Center | Patient Referral Services | 800-Jeff-now (800-533-3669) |
| PA | Philadelphia | BL | Univ. of Pennsylvania Cancer Center | Patient Referral Services | 800-789-7366 |
| PA | Pittsburgh | BL | Magee - Womens Hospital | Donna Hope | 412-641-4747 |
| PA | Pittsburgh | BL | University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute | Cancer Information Specialists | 412-647-2811 |
| RI | Providence | Roger Williams Cancer Center | Mary Ann Taylor | 401-456-2100 | |
| SC | Charleston | Roper Cancer Center | Health Services | 843-402-CARE (843-402-2273) | |
| SC | Spartanburg | Spartansburg Regional Medical Center | Richard K. Orr, MD | 864-560-1576 | |
| TN | Knoxville | BL | Thompson Cancer Survival Center | Pam Murph | 865-541-1757 |
| TN | Knoxville | BL | University of Tennessee Cancer Center | Nancy Vineyard | 865-544-9572 |
| TN | Memphis | BL | (Children Only) St. Jude Childrens | Nancy Parnell | 901-495-3277 |
| TN | Memphis | BL | Methodist Health Care-Medsearch | Staff | 901-726-8686 |
| TN | Nashville | BL | Henry Joyce Cancer Clinic (Vanderbilt) | Janet Iacolino | 615-322-6053 |
| TX | Arlington | BL | Arlington Cancer Center | New Patient Coordinator | 800-344-8351 |
| TX | Dallas | BL | UN.Of TX Southwestern Medical Center | New Patient Coordinator | 214-648-3111 |
| TX | Galveston | BL | UTMB Cancer Center | Dr. Dennie Jones | 888-772-5564 |
| TX | Houston | BL | MD Anderson Cancer Center | New Patient Referrel | 800-392-1611 |
| TX | Lubbock | BL | Joe Arrington Ca. Research & Treat. Ctr. | Mary Beth Stalcup | 806-725-7962 |
| TX | Lubbock | Southwest Cancer Center | Shelly Miles | 806-775-8600 | |
| TX | San Antonio | San Antonio Cancer Institute/Phase I Clinical Trials only/Solid Tumors only | Epp Goodwin | 210-616-5798 | |
| UT | Salt Lake City | BL | University of Utah Medical Center | Susan Foss | 801-585-0124 |
| VA | Richmond | Massey Cancer Center(VCU) | Stephanie Brunner | 804-828-5116 | |
| VT | Bennington | Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center | Letha Mills, MD | 802-447-5600 | |
| WA | Bellingham | St. Joseph Hospital | Shelly Smits | 360-738-6740 | |
| WA | Olympia | Western WashingtonCancer Treat. Center | Melody Edgington | 360-754-3934 | |
| WA | Seattle | BL | Seattle Cancer Care Alliance includes Fred Hutchinson Cancer Res. Center University of Washington Medicine, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center | Clinical Coordinator | 800-804-8824 |
| WA | Seattle | Puget Sound Cancer Center | Receptionist | 206-365-8252 | |
| WA | Seattle | Providence Seattle Medical Center | Mehmet Fer, MD | 206-227-2491 | |
| WA | Spokane | Holy Family Hospital | Representative | 509-474-5490 | |
| WA | Spokane | Sacred Heart Medical Center | Representative | 800-228-6618 | |
| WI | Eau Claire | Sacred Heart Hospital | Staff | 715-839-3956 | |
| WI | Madison | Meriter Hospital, Inc. | Representative | 608-267-6403 | |
| WI | Madison | BL | University of Wisconsin Cancer Center | Cancer Connect Office | 800-622-8922 |
| WI | Milwaukee | Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital | Joanne Neuman | 414-805-3666 | |
| WI | Milwaukee | St. Luke's Medical Center | Carla Rohloff, RN, BSN | 414-385-2362 | |
| WV | Fairmont | Fairmont General Hospital | Trisha Julian | 304-367-7247 | |
| WV | Parkersburg | Camden-Clark Memorial | Josie Poling | 304-424-2744 | |
| WV | Wheeling | Wheeling Hospital | Lynn Wood | 304-243-3260 |