You’ve just been told the word “cancer.” Your mind is blank, your hands are shaking, and the internet is scary. That’s normal—everyone reacts this way. You’re not the first person to go through this, and you certainly won’t be the last. But right now, you don’t need to know everything—you need to know what to do in the coming days. Not general advice, but specific steps. Here’s a five-step plan—it works no matter where you are.
The first reaction to a cancer diagnosis is panic. You want to do something right away: agree to the first surgery offered, go somewhere, call everyone you know. Don't do it. Panic is the worst advisor in medicine.
Here’s what’s important to understand: in the vast majority of cases, cancer isn’t a matter of hours. There’s almost always a 2–4-week window between diagnosis and the start of treatment, which doesn’t affect the prognosis. This time is your resource. Use it wisely.
What should you do in the first 48 hours? First, give yourself permission not to make any decisions. Talk to a loved one. Cry if you need to. Get some sleep. Second, don’t search the internet at night. The internet will show you the worst-case scenarios, and you’ll decide that it’s all over. That’s not true. Cancer treatment in 2026 is nothing like it was ten or fifteen years ago. Many forms of cancer are highly treatable today, especially in the early stages.
And then—follow the plan.
Any oncologist in the world—whether in Moscow or Berlin—will start with one question: “Show me your test results.” Without the documents, no doctor will be able to say anything specific. Therefore, the first step is to compile your medical records.
Here's what you need:
— The histology report (biopsy results) is the most important document. It is the histology that determines the tumor type, the degree of aggressiveness, and the treatment plan. If you’ve already had a biopsy, be sure to pick up not only the report but also the slides/blocks (paraffin blocks containing tissue samples). German clinics often review histology reports—and frequently revise the diagnosis.
— Imaging studies — CT, MRI, PET-CT. Important: We need the discs containing the DICOM files, not printouts. If the tests were performed at multiple locations, please gather all the results.
— Blood tests: complete blood count, biochemical panel, and tumor markers. Recent results, no older than 2–3 weeks.
— Medical records — if you have been hospitalized, attended consultations, or received treatment.
All of this can be submitted electronically—as a scan or a photo. A German translation is not required at this stage: clinics in Berlin accept Russian-language documents, and the translation is done later.
Seeking a second opinion from an oncologist is not a whim or a sign of distrust toward your doctor. It is standard global practice recommended by the WHO. Statistics show that in 30–40% of cases, a second opinion changes or significantly adjusts the initial treatment plan. Sometimes it prevents an unnecessary surgery. Sometimes it identifies an option that hadn’t been considered.
How does it work? You submit your documents—a professor from a specialized clinic reviews your case, provides a written analysis, and conducts a 40-minute video consultation. There’s no need to travel anywhere. The turnaround time is 3–5 business days.
Sofortmed arranges second opinions at leading clinics in Berlin:
— Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin — Europe’s largest university hospital, with 3,000 beds, and a world-renowned center for oncology. The hospital conducts molecular tumor profiling, CAR-T therapy, and clinical trials of the latest drugs.
— Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch — one of Berlin’s largest multidisciplinary medical centers, with 1,000 beds and more than 30 departments. Da Vinci robotic surgery and a strong oncology surgery program.
— Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring — a center of excellence for lung cancer and pulmonology, with 510 beds. Specializes in thoracic oncology.
— MEOCLINIC — a private clinic in central Berlin, offering personalized care and minimal wait times.
The initial consultation—which includes selecting 2–3 clinics and receiving a preliminary estimate—is free. Payment is due only after you sign a contract with the clinic.
When you have a second opinion, you get the full picture: what your condition is, how serious it is, and what treatment options are available.
Why do people choose to receive cancer treatment in Germany? It’s not a trend—it’s the statistics. The five-year survival rate for cancer in Germany is higher than the EU average. The country has 4 proton therapy centers, 2 carbon ion therapy centers, and 18 university cancer centers. Every year, German hospitals treat more than 450,000 cancer patients, of whom more than 12,000 are foreigners.
Things you can find in Berlin but aren't always available at home:
— Molecular tumor profiling — tailoring treatment to a specific mutation, rather than following a “protocol.”
— Immunotherapy and the latest generation of targeted drugs.
— Proton therapy — targeted radiation treatment that does not damage healthy tissue.
— CAR-T cell therapy — for certain types of lymphomas and leukemias.
— HIPEC/PIPAC — intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal metastases.
— Da Vinci robotic surgery — minimally invasive procedures.
This is particularly relevant for patients from post-Soviet countries. Back home, you may be prescribed treatment based on a standard protocol that does not take into account the specific molecular characteristics of your tumor. In Germany, the approach is different: first, the molecular profile—then the decision. This isn’t just marketing; it actually saves lives.
The cost of treatment depends on the diagnosis and the scope of care—an accurate estimate can only be provided after reviewing the medical records. However, the pricing system in Germany is transparent: inpatient care is billed according to DRGs (fixed rates based on diagnosis), rather than on an arbitrary basis. It may come as a surprise to many, but the cost at a German university hospital is often comparable to prices at private Russian centers—despite a completely different level of equipment and evidence base.
Seeking medical treatment abroad is about more than just medical care. It involves visas, flights, lodging, insurance, an interpreter, airport transfers, scheduling appointments at the clinic, and coordination among doctors. When you’re sick, it’s impossible to handle all of this on your own.
That’s exactly why Sofortmed exists. We take care of all the organizational details: from the first phone call to your discharge and the medical report for your doctor back home. Specifically:
— We'll translate the documents into German and send them to the clinic.
— We'll arrange for a second opinion from the professor—in writing and via video.
— We'll help you with your visa (we'll prepare an invitation from the clinic).
— We'll book accommodations near the clinic—for you and your companion.
— We'll pick you up at the airport and take you to the clinic.
— We'll provide a medical interpreter for appointments and surgeries.
— After your treatment, we'll prepare a detailed report in Russian so that your doctor back home can continue to monitor your condition.
We are located in Berlin (Auguste-Viktoria-Str. 40) and work directly with clinics, without intermediaries or hidden fees. Our contract is governed by German law and features transparent terms and conditions.
In urgent cases—and oncology is always a priority—we can schedule an appointment at the clinic within 3 days. If you already have a diagnosis and the necessary documents, we can start the process today.
Leia is our phone consultant. She'll call you back, listen to your situation, and explain what options are available specifically for your case. This service is free and comes with no obligation.
A 54-year-old female patient from Eastern Europe. Diagnosis: Stage IIB breast cancer. Local doctors recommended a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy.
I submitted my documents to Charité for a second opinion through Sofortmed. Four days later, I received the professor’s written report. The result: a histological review revealed a different molecular subtype of the tumor. Organ-preserving surgery plus targeted therapy was recommended instead of standard chemotherapy. I flew to Berlin 12 days after my initial consultation. The surgery was successful, and I began a course of targeted therapy at the clinic, which I continued at home.
The result: her breast was preserved, unnecessary chemotherapy was avoided, and treatment was tailored to her specific molecular tumor subtype. The entire process—from the first phone call to the surgery in Berlin—took three weeks.
Names and details have been changed to protect privacy.
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