A Second Opinion: The Story of Anna López

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SaludToday Guest Blogger
Dr. Michel Choueiri of CancerDocs.org

I am going to tell you the story of Anna López and why it is important to always ask two doctors before making a major decision.

Anna López
Anna López

Anna arrived to Los Angeles in 2014 from Guatemala. She turned 49 last June. She was taking a shower one morning when she noticed a mass on her breast. She did not know what to do and went to the first doctor who her cousin knew. After a pleasant consultation, she was advised that she would need to have surgery to remove all her breast. Sad, Anna went home, cried with her husband that night. She could not speak English and did not know many people in LA to ask for help. She agreed to the surgery and the operation was scheduled for the following week.

Luckily, her friend who works at UCLA had had a similar experience three years ago. After talking to Anna about her story, she arranged for the both of them to visit the breast cancer specialist at the university medical center. Few days later, Anna and her friend went to the clinic. The professor told her that her cancer was at an early stage. She was lucky to have caught it early. The good news was that the cancer could be removed with a small surgery that would leave a minimal scar and that she was a very high chance of being cured.

Anna’s story is one that we hear about every day. Hispanic men and women who live in the U.S. do not get as many second opinions as other Americans.

Like Anna, they often get the wrong advice. We are lucky to live in a country where there are many treatments to choose from. We also have access to the best cancer doctors. Make sure you are getting the best advice.

If you or your loved one is diagnosed with cancer, I suggest you do the following:

  1. Look up the closest cancer center or university hospital.
  2. Ask your friends if they know a cancer doctor at that hospital.
  3. If not, call the hospital. In the majority of the hospitals, there are Spanish-speaking employees who can schedule an appointment for you.
  4. Bring a bilingual friend with you to the appointment. If you can’t find a friend, ask for a Spanish translator.
  5. If you are too far from a cancer center, contact online services that can offer a second opinion from the comfort of your home.

Whatever you do, keep up the hope, eat well, smile often and stay strong.

By The Numbers By The Numbers

25.1

percent

of Latinos remain without health insurance coverage

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