3 = HEALTH AWARENESS Getting The Right Kind Of Second Opinion (NAPSA)—When it comes to your health, whom you see second can be as important as what you do first. Many people who get a diag- nosis they don’t like wonder how to learn about other treatment options. Most look for a different doctor in the same field—rather than turningto a different specialty. For example, cardiologists treat the heart; urologists, kidney disease. Interventional radiologists, however, specialize in non-surgical treatments throughout the body. Getting a second opinion from a different specialist may help you make a more informed treatment choice and even save your life. Consider the case of David Hall, who was told by his oncolo- gist that he had 12 to 18 months to live due to liver cancer. On the recommendation of his oncologist, Hall met with an interventional radiologist and learned of two new non-surgical treatments that could help. For nearly six years now, he’s been returning to his interventional radiologists for non-surgical “tune-ups” that keep the cancer under control. Then there’s Holly Suckoo, diag- nosed with uterine fibroids and told she needed a hysterectomy. While watching TV, she learned about a minimally invasive procedure done by interventional radiologists— uterine fibroid embolization—that would spare her uterus, get her back on her feet in a week and help her avoid surgery. “Other doctors don’t always know every treatment we offer, but when they have a complex patient they need help with, they give us a call,” says interventional radiologist, Ziv Haskal, M.D. “Our treatments are not surgery—we use imaging to guide a tiny catheter, usually up an artery or vein, to treat at the source of the Checklist For Getting A Second Opinion: 1. Tell your doctor you would like to get a second opinion and ask for a referralto anotherspecialist who might he able to offer different options. 2. Visit the American Board of Medical Specialties at www.ABMS.orgto learn aboutdifferent specialties, their training programsandto find a board-certified physician. 3. Use medical Web sites that are HON certified—this seal ensures the medical content is physician-reviewed and meets the international eight codes of conductfor quality control. 4, Visit the National Library of Medicine at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus or Web MD at www.webmd.org. 5. To find out more about interventional radiology treatmentsorto find an interventionalradiologist, visit www.SIRweb.org or contact a nearby hospital. disease, internally. There is no surgical incision; when we are donethere is only a band-aid.” Interventional radiologists are board-certified in diagnostic radiology, with advanced training in minimally invasive treatments for an array of diseases and conditions such as uterine fibroids, pelvic pain, varicose veins, osteoporotic fractures, infertility and hardening of the arteries. Don’t be concerned that asking for a second opinion will offend your doctor. This is common prac- tice for anyone facing seriousillness or surgery—and many insur- ance companies requireit. For more information, visit www.slRweb.org.
