Louise Shares Her Story:
“I found out about Teladoc Health’s Second Medical Opinion service through my employer, a charity that offers it as part of our health and wellbeing benefits through our group income protection scheme. At the time, I was just returning to work after undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of cancer. I didn’t know it then, but this service would be a turning point in helping me make a critical, informed decision about my ongoing treatment.
When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, everything moves so fast. You just surrender to the process and trust that your doctors are giving you the best care. You’re not in a place—physically, mentally, or emotionally—to question things. But once my active hospital-based treatment was complete, I had time to think more critically about my next steps. I was prescribed a drug meant to prevent the cancer from spreading to my bones, but I had serious concerns. The benefit seemed small, and the risks were significant. I couldn’t get a straight answer from my NHS consultants or GP about whether it was worth it for me personally.
That’s when I turned to the Second Medical Opinion service. I was quickly contacted, spoke to a doctor, and outlined my concerns. I was reassured that although the specialist wouldn’t prescribe treatment, they would provide expert analysis of the latest research, international practices, and their own clinical perspective.
After uploading my medical records and scans to a secure portal, I received a comprehensive report from a globally renowned oncologist. It was incredibly reassuring. The expert confirmed that the standard UK treatment was reasonable, but they also shared that their patients would typically receive a more effective IV version of the same drug rather than the oral tablet I was prescribed. My hospital had only offered the oral option due to resource constraints—something I would never have known without this second opinion.
Armed with this insight, I felt confident making a decision I’d spent nine stressful months agonising over. I now understood that not only could this drug help prevent cancer from returning to my bones, but it might also improve my bone density, which had been damaged by previous treatments. That information gave me peace of mind.
Unfortunately, my hospital still won’t provide the IV version, but now I know that I could pursue it privately if I choose. And even if I can’t access everything I’d want, having the evidence and perspective from a global expert helped me take control of my care in a way the NHS system doesn’t always allow.
For anyone navigating a serious or complex diagnosis—I would recommend this service. It gave me the clarity and confidence I needed at a time when I felt lost in a system that couldn’t give me answers. It didn’t just help me make a treatment decision; it helped me regain a sense of control.”
To respect the patient’s wish for anonymity, we have not included a photograph.
Related Link: https://teladochealth.org.uk/our-experts/
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