A top medical oncologist stated that he had never treated a cancer patient without a second opinion from someone other than an associate of his. This was for four reasons:

1.  Cancer is a very serious disease that grows geometrically. If it is not treated properly the first time, there is often no second chance.

2.  He is human and could make a mistake.

3.  Someone else could see something that he doesn't see.

4.  Someone else could know something that he doesn't know. We are not fighting for what treatments a patient receives or from whom. All we care about is that the patient is entitled to make an informed decision knowing all the honest facts. 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. 

Dr. John Mendelsohn, president of M. D. Anderson, stated that this would raise the entire level of cancer medicine. 

An article from the Los Angeles Times stated: "If you have cancer, you are much better off going to a specialized cancer center than to your local hospital or your family doctor. Most physicians who do not routinely treat cancer are not up to date on the latest research findings and so often provide inferior care, according to the Institute of Medicine report, commissioned by the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and two pharmaceutical companies. For some types of cancer, the report said, the risk of dying is two to four times higher if a patient does not go to a specialized cancer center. Efficacy of treatment for a variety of diseases varies widely, with experience playing a major role. You are more likely to survive heart surgery, for example, if it is performed at a center that does 200 operations a year than at a center that does only one or two. But the differences are even greater with cancer, according to the report. "One of the things we were struck with was evidence that standard cancer care is erratically applied," Dr. Robert Young of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia said at a news conference. He said many doctors are simply not knowledgeable about the most recent treatment developments.  

Bruce Chabner, Director of the Cancer Center at Massachusetts General Hospital and former director of Division of Cancer Treatment at NCI commented, "I totally agree. We are doing the same for most of our new patients. The most effective way is to see all three specialists in the same clinic, so they can discuss the case with each other." 

From Evan Hersh, director of oncology at the Arizona Cancer Center, "I was very excited to hear about your new project. I think it is very timely to say the least. I will be happy to help you with it in any way possible, just let me know what you would like me to do." He then continues for another page and a half about the problems that this could solve. 

Paul Marks, President of Memorial, Sloan-Kettering, in a letter 7/1/98 relative to his giving MD2O, stated, "We would go further than you do and highlight the importance of having each patient's diagnosis confirmed by an expert in the field. We have seen too many patients referred to Memorial whose original diagnosis or cancer staging was wrong. Misdiagnosis leads to erroneous treatment plans and poor outcomes. We would also recommend that, whenever possible, treatment be delivered by a physician who is a member of a multidisciplinary team with a focus on the disease for which the patient is being treated." 

Harold Benjamin, founder of the Wellness Community, stated on August 29, 1999, "We heartily agree with the concept."

From Ernest and Isadora Rosenbaum, oncologists at UCSF Cancer Center, "I congratulate you on embarking on another project. It may not be the biggest in your life, but I bet it will be one of the best. I currently agree with your concept and Vince once said to me (referring to Dr. Vincent DeVita, Yale University), "Ernie, I don't know of a doctor who didn't get a second opinion." . . As you know, I am a strong believer and I would like to be a participant with you in this program if that is feasible." In an article in the March-April issue of Coping Magazine, they 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 state that prompt proper treatment could reduce cancer mortality 50%! 

Dr. John Laszlo, former head of the American Cancer Society wrote, "I have seen or heard the stories of hundreds of people with cancer who would have benefited from a second opinion. In most cases it was a medical oncology opinion that could have saved a serious error; then radiation and surgical." The American Cancer Society is quoted in May, 1991, as always recommending a second opinion at a designated cancer center before starting treatment. 

From Harry Jonas, v.p. AMA, "I am a firm believer in second opinions, always recommending them to my own patients ... It is a most challenging and exciting proposal, and I would welcome an opportunity to sit down with you and work out some strategy ideas as to how best it might be implemented." 

From Dr. Robert Young, President of Fox Chase Cancer Center, "As you could tell from my questions and comments, I was delighted to hear your advocacy of second opinions. Although the logistics of accomplishing your goal are formidable, I am quite persuaded that the quality of cancer care would be greatly enhanced if all patients with a cancer diagnosis received a second opinion from a competent oncologist with expertise in that particular cancer problem. I hope that the work of the National Cancer Policy Board on quality cancer care will dovetail nicely with your efforts and will hopefully result in improved cancer care for a larger group of Americans." 

Dani Grady stated, "As a patient advocate at the University of California San Diego Cancer Center for seven years, I have seen thousands of patients and their profiles, and know what a difference in quality and quantity of the lives this would have and now could make."

To quote from a publication from the Cleveland Clinic, "A second opinion is more than an opportunity, it's your right."

What would be the results of BLAST Cancer? The National Cancer Institute has stated that if physicians would use the recommended treatments in PDQ today, (the NCI's computerized service with state-of-the-art protocols) some 10% of those dying from cancer could be saved. That is in excess of 1,000 Americans each week. Dr. Richard Morrison, a radiation oncologist, stated in August, 1999, that "According to my preliminary studies, the number of cancer deaths that would be prevented annually in the US would be 167,400." As stated above, Ernest and Isadora Rosenbaum believe cancer mortality could be reduced 50% or in excess of 5,000 Americans weekly. Without wasting time on discussing whether it would save 1,000 or 5,000 lives weekly, it is vital that BLAST get implemented promptly. If it only saved one life a week, it would be worthwhile.