Checking the Diagnosis

When Vickie Neal was diagnosed with stage III estrogen-receptor-negative (ER-negative) breast cancer in 2002 she received the standard treatment—surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and reconstruction. She thinking she knew what she was getting into.

She didn't receive tamoxifen because that physic works best in women who have ER-positive breast cancer.

Like about half of breast and gynecologic cancer patients, Neal didn't realize a second opinion. "I know normally nation tell you if you're not comfortable, then, of course you're entitled to a next to the first opinion, but I didn't have vexed questions and I felt comfortable with what was going on" she says.

sum of two units years later, though, her cancer spread to her brain, her liver, her bone and her other breast. This time, at the suggestion of a friend, she did diocese someone for a second opinion.

Her fresh doctor told her there had