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Hi,
I went to three doctors to garner opinions during my first diagnosis in 2003. One at the NJ Cancer Institute, one at Sloan-Kettering in NYC, and one at a local practice where the oncologists were trained at Sloan-Kettering. All three oncologists gave different recommendations on my course of treatment. I was very frustrated! I learned one very important lesson - doctors are very biased (I don't believe this is conscious) by the their schools of training and the trials that they are currently supporting. That is, NJ cancer institute recommended I enter the herceptin/taxol trial - she was a researcher in that trial; Sloan-Kettering thought I should do the dose-dense trial - Sloan-Kettering initiated that treatment protocol. The other oncologist thought I should go the standard route - he didn't think herceptin would amount to much, but if I had to go on a trial - he suggested I try the dose dense. I think it's important to realize doctors are going to support what they know and understand, and it's critical for patients to research the issues themselves. Because of this board, I knew I wanted herceptin, and my oncologist at NJ Cancer Institute has been great.
Best,
Monica
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