A second opinion does not mean distrust of your original team. It means confirming that the recommendation in front of you is right for you before surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. For how a first assessment is structured, see the one-stop clinic; for surgical options after diagnosis, see breast cancer surgery.
Second opinion
Second opinion on a breast cancer diagnosis or treatment plan
If you have received a breast cancer diagnosis or a treatment recommendation and would like an independent review before you decide, Dr Fiona Tsang-Wright (GMC 4549831), Consultant Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgeon, FRCS Gen Surg, offers second-opinion consultations at Harley Street, King's Road, and The Chiltern Hospital. Seeking a second opinion is a normal, encouraged part of good breast cancer care.
Quick answers
How can I get a second opinion about breast surgery?
Book with the practice. Phone Sarah or Nadiya, Dr Tsang-Wright's PAs, on 07785 274 744, or use the contact form. You do not need permission from your current team. Send the reports you already have, and book before the remaining copies arrive. Contact the practice.
How quickly can I be seen?
Usually within one to two weeks. If your situation is urgent, please say so when you contact the practice, and Sarah or Nadiya will prioritise accordingly.
Do I need all my records before booking?
No, book first. Records help, but do not delay while you gather them. Sarah or Nadiya can advise on requesting imaging and pathology from your treating hospital.
Should I check with my insurer first?
Usually, yes. Most UK insurers cover oncology second opinions but often require a GP referral letter. BUPA Platinum (Fee-Assured) members: no excess on the consultation fee with me.
Should I get a second opinion on a breast cancer diagnosis?
Yes. Seeking one is a normal, expected part of breast cancer care. It does not mean you distrust your team, and it does not commit you to changing teams.
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Step by step
What a second opinion consultation involves
1
You send your existing reports
Before the appointment, send or bring whatever you have: histology (pathology) report, imaging (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI on disc or digital transfer), the MDT outcome letter or clinic letter that summarises the MDT discussion, and correspondence from your original surgeon or oncologist. For plain-language context on breast MRI or core biopsy, see the glossary. Under a subject access request, NHS hospitals must generally provide your own imaging free of charge within one calendar month; some charge a reasonable fee only for extra copies on disc. Do not delay booking while you gather records. Sarah or Nadiya can advise on obtaining copies, and even a partial set allows a useful consultation.
2
Review of diagnosis, pathology and staging
I review the reports and imaging before you arrive. At the consultation I walk through my reading of the pathology and staging: what the reports say, what they mean clinically, and whether any elements are ambiguous or warrant further investigation.
20–30 min3
Independent clinical assessment
A clinical examination where appropriate, separate from any examination already performed by your original team. This is your chance to describe your symptoms, your concerns, and any aspects of the original consultation that were unclear or unresolved.
10–15 min4
Discussion of treatment options
The heart of the second opinion. I set out my independent view: whether the proposed plan is consistent with current evidence and subspecialty practice, whether there are alternative approaches you should know about, and what I would recommend if you were my patient. If the review confirms the original plan, that confirmation is itself clinically useful.
20–30 min5
Written summary issued
A written letter summarising the second opinion is issued after the appointment. We aim to send it within seven working days; say when booking if a treatment decision is pending. You can share it with your original treating team, your insurer, or your GP. The letter is yours to use as you choose.
On independence.
I have no financial interest in any hospital that may have made the original diagnosis or recommendation: no referral relationship, no departmental ties, no shared management structure. The review is independent in the clinical sense that matters, because the conclusion is based solely on the evidence in front of me.
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When it helps
When a second opinion makes sense
Some situations where patients commonly seek a second opinion include a new breast cancer diagnosis before committing to surgery, uncertainty about whether breast conservation is feasible, a proposed mastectomy when you hoped for lumpectomy, reconstruction timing and type, inherited or contralateral risk where risk-reducing mastectomy is being considered, or a mid-treatment decision such as surgery after chemotherapy.
Second opinions are not the right step for every patient. For straightforward cases where the recommendation is clear and you feel confident, a formal second opinion may add little. When the decision feels high-stakes or rushed, specialist review is a normal part of UK breast cancer care.
Cases I typically see. Newly diagnosed invasive or in-situ disease; proposed plans where oncoplastic or reconstructive options were not discussed; difference of view between your surgeon and oncologist about sequencing; patients transferring between NHS and private care; and patients who want written confirmation before proceeding.
Appointments usually run 45 to 60 minutes, longer than a standard follow-up, and you are welcome to bring a partner, family member, or friend. A second opinion does not commit you to changing teams.
Questions
Common questions about seeking a second opinion
Will asking for a second opinion upset my original team?
No, and you do not need their permission. Requesting an independent review is a recognised part of responsible cancer care in the UK. NHS and private clinicians are trained to support it. If anything, knowing a patient has sought a second opinion and had it confirmed can give both patient and team more confidence in the treatment plan.
Can I get a second opinion even if I have already started treatment?
Yes. A second opinion mid-treatment is less common but entirely valid, particularly if a new finding has emerged, if you have concerns about how the treatment is going, or if you are being asked to make a further decision (for example about surgery after chemotherapy). I will review whatever is available at the point you are at.
Does my insurer cover a second opinion?
Most UK private medical insurers cover second-opinion consultations for oncology. Check with your insurer before booking. They will usually need a GP referral letter and may have a preferred pathway. BUPA members: I am a Platinum (Fee-Assured) Consultant, so BUPA-insured patients pay no excess on the consultation fee. For self-pay patients, the practice can provide a fee estimate on request.
How long does it take to get the written summary?
We aim to send the written summary within seven working days of the consultation. If your situation is time-sensitive (for example, a treatment decision is pending), please say so when booking so Sarah or Nadiya can prioritise the letter accordingly.
What if the second opinion differs from the first?
A genuine clinical difference of opinion does sometimes occur, particularly around operative approach (for example, whether breast conservation is achievable), the extent of axillary surgery, or the sequencing of chemotherapy and surgery. If I reach a different conclusion, I will explain the clinical basis for that difference clearly, in writing. What you do with the two opinions is your decision. Some patients choose to discuss the difference with their original team; others ask me to take over their care. Both are entirely appropriate.
What should I bring, and can I get imaging from my NHS hospital?
Ideally bring or send pathology, imaging (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI), the MDT outcome letter or clinic letter that summarises the MDT discussion, and letters from your original team. Under UK data-protection rules, a subject access request for your own records is generally free; extra copies on disc may carry a fee. If anything is missing, Sarah or Nadiya can help request it, so do not delay booking.
Should I get a second opinion on a breast cancer diagnosis?
Yes, when you want another consultant to look at the diagnosis or the plan before you decide. Asking is a normal part of UK breast cancer care, and you do not need your original team's permission. A second opinion confirms the plan, or it explains a real difference, and either result is useful. It does not commit you to moving your care. Bring the reports you already have, and do not delay booking while you collect every copy.
How much does a private second opinion cost?
The fee is quoted before you book. There is no figure on this page, because the quote depends on the appointment you need. Insurers often cover a second opinion when you have a GP or consultant referral, and they usually ask you to check that before the visit. Self-pay patients can ask the practice for the quote. Start with fees and insurance.