Communicating with your Doctor

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Cancer

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor regarding your cancer treatment.

• What type of cancer do I have?
• What is the extent or stage of my cancer?
• Do I need to be treated right away?
• What are my treatment choices?
• What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
• What are the risks of each treatment?
• What are the side effects of each treatment?
• Are there new treatments or clinical trials that I should consider?
• What are my chances of being cured?
• How will we know if this is working?
• How will each treatment affect my daily life?
• What are the chances of the cancer coming back again?

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Having your questions answered will help ease your mind and help you become a more active partner in your care.

Hints for Talking with Your Doctor about Cancer

These tips might help you keep track of the information you learn during visits with your doctor:

• Bring a friend or family member to sit with you while you talk with your doctor. This person can help you understand what your doctor says during your visit and help refresh your memory afterward.
• Ask your doctor for printed information that is available on your cancer and treatment.
• You, or the person who goes with you, may want to take notes during your appointment.
• Ask your doctor to slow down when you need more time to write.

You may want to ask if you can use a tape recorder during your visit. Take notes from the tape after the visit is finished. That way, you can review your conversation later as many times as you wish.