“ Cleveland Clinic gave me peace of mind to proceed to the next stage of treatment. ” When Joan developed a serious cough, her doctors discovered small lung nodules, malignant cells that are consistent with breast cancer. A breast cancer survivor for ten years, Joan also had other symptoms like chest pain, weight loss and the loss of her voice. She was already taking tamoxifen, but her doctors were considering a more serious treatment—chemotherapy. Having had chemo after her first bout with cancer, Joan wanted a second opinion.

The Expert Second Opinion With access to Cleveland Clinic’s MyConsult® Online Medical Second Opinion Program, Joan’s records and test results were sent to an expert oncologist at Cleveland Clinic for review. The second opinion agreed with Joan’s current diagnosis and treatment, adding that hormonal treatment might be needed later, depending on Joan’s long-term response to the tamoxifen. Chemotherapy was not recommended, unless the tamoxifen and hormone treatments failed. Further recommendations included evaluations to find the possible causes of Joan’s chest pain and weight and vocal loss.

The Results Despite living a great distance from Cleveland Clinic, Joan didn't have to travel to get expert advice. She could proceed with peace of mind to the next stage of treatment with her local doctors knowing that—for now, at least—chemotherapy was not an option.