Comments on: Considering All the Options http://blog.livestrong.org/2008/07/30/considering-all-the-options/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:46:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Allen Segal http://blog.livestrong.org/2008/07/30/considering-all-the-options/#comment-1111 Allen Segal Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:24:28 +0000 http://livestrongblog.org/2008/07/30/considering-all-the-options/#comment-1111 Kudos to Senator Kennedy and all those wearing an emblem of privilege that enables the summoning of top clinical and research experts. I am the first to strongly encourage multiple opinions and individualized approaches to care, but let?¢?Ǩ?Ñ¢s get real. The vast majority of cancer patients, newly diagnosed and in crisis do not have the resources to contact leading national authorities. And for those able to exert that Herculean effort the odds of a return response are sadly unlikely! The reality-There is a cast system that permeates every level of American health care. Senator Kennedy?¢?Ǩ?Ñ¢s treatment approach underscores this unfortunate truth. If we want to truly level the playing field then begin by establishing consortium of experts willing to donate their services relative to obtaining opinions and formulating therapeutic approaches. Please fell free to sign me up as physician number one. Respectfully, Allen M.Segal Physician and Stage 4 Cancer Survivor My best wishes to Senator Kennedy along with my gratitude for all the worthy causes he has and will continue to champion. Kudos to Senator Kennedy and all those wearing an emblem of privilege that enables the summoning of top clinical and research experts. I am the first to strongly encourage multiple opinions and individualized approaches to care, but let?¢?Ǩ?Ñ¢s get real. The vast majority of cancer patients, newly diagnosed and in crisis do not have the resources to contact leading national authorities. And for those able to exert that Herculean effort the odds of a return response are sadly unlikely!

The reality-There is a cast system that permeates every level of American health care. Senator Kennedy?¢?Ǩ?Ñ¢s treatment approach underscores this unfortunate truth. If we want to truly level the playing field then begin by establishing consortium of experts willing to donate their services relative to obtaining opinions and formulating therapeutic approaches. Please fell free to sign me up as physician number one.

Respectfully,

Allen M.Segal
Physician and Stage 4 Cancer Survivor

My best wishes to Senator Kennedy along with my gratitude for all the worthy causes he has and will continue to champion.

]]> By: Davis Liu, M.D. http://blog.livestrong.org/2008/07/30/considering-all-the-options/#comment-1110 Davis Liu, M.D. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:49:43 +0000 http://livestrongblog.org/2008/07/30/considering-all-the-options/#comment-1110 Absolutely correct. When it comes to very important decisions about our health, patients should feel empowered to ask for second opinions. With any other big decision ?¢?Ǩ?Äù purchasing a new car or deciding to get married, for example ?¢?Ǩ?Äù we all seek out multiple opinions. Good doctors realize that sometimes patients need to discuss their conditions with another doctor or get two opinions before they can move on. These opinions may or may not be the same. I cover this and many other important information (like reminding people when to get screened for cancer!) in my new book Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely - Making Intelligent Choices in America's Healthcare System. As a practicing doctor at one of America's top healthcare organizations, I appreciate the work that Livestrong is doing. Keep up the excellent work! Davis Liu, M.D. Author of Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely - Making Intelligent Choices in America's Healthcare System Absolutely correct. When it comes to very important decisions about our health, patients should feel empowered to ask for second opinions. With any other big decision ?¢?Ǩ?Äù purchasing a new car or deciding to get married, for example
?¢?Ǩ?Äù we all seek out multiple opinions. Good doctors realize that sometimes patients need to discuss their conditions with another doctor or get two opinions before they can move on. These opinions may or may not be the same.

I cover this and many other important information (like reminding people when to get screened for cancer!) in my new book Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely – Making Intelligent Choices in America’s Healthcare System.

As a practicing doctor at one of America’s top healthcare organizations, I appreciate the work that Livestrong is doing. Keep up the excellent work!

Davis Liu, M.D.
Author of Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely – Making Intelligent Choices in America’s Healthcare System

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