Can We Say No to Our Oncologists?

We have the right and the obligation to honor our "veto vote" where our own health and healing is concerned.

BY Khevin Barnes

PUBLISHED April 16, 2018

Khevin Barnes is a Male Breast Cancer survivor, magician and speaker. He is currently writing, composing and producing a comedy stage musical about Male Breast Cancer Awareness. He travels wherever he is invited to speak to (and do a little magic for) men and women about breast cancer. www.BreastCancerSpeaker.com          www.MaleBreastCancerSurvivor.com

Four years ago, while living in Hawaii, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so my primary care physician recommended me a breast surgeon. At the time, I was the deer in the headlights, overwhelmed by the news that I had a cancer I never dreamed existed – breast cancer in a man. And I started looking to find anyone who could point me in the right direction, while offering me a chance to stay alive a little longer.

I had no knowledge from which to make my own choices back then, and very little time to seek out someone who could walk me through the process of diagnosis, mastectomy and recovery, along with a battle plan to help me decide on the best course of action to increase the odds of killing the cancer inside me.

It never occurred to me at that moment in my life to ask too many questions since I was totally unprepared to know what to ask. And because the only person on Earth who was able to offer me advice at the time was my primary care doctor, I elected to trust his guidance. I didn't consult my friends or family about my choices, and I had no time for second opinions. After all, the diagnosis was clear; I had cancer.

So, there I was – naked and ill-informed, vulnerable and frightened, looking to find any voice of authority that could give me hope for my future.

Read More - Can We Say "No"