Questions to Ask the Doctor

Asking questions of your doctor, nurses, and other members of the health-care team is a good way to learn more about your treatment and follow-up care. It's okay to ask as many questions as you need to. In fact, doctors and nurses like to know what concerns their patients and what topics may be a source of confusion. Asking questions helps give you more control and helps you cope with cancer and its treatment.

There is a lot for you to learn once you've been diagnosed with cancer. With all of the new information you are receiving, it may be easy to forget the questions you wanted to ask in the first place. The sample questions below may help you get organized. Write your questions ahead of time to help organize your thinking. Or, bring another person with you to your appointments that can help you write down the information.

In a busy office or clinic, it may be difficult to have all of your questions answered. Consider contacting the nurse ahead of time with questions. The nurse may be able to answer your questions or alert the doctor of your concerns beforehand. If possible, contact your doctor or nurse by e-mail.

General questions

What type of cancer do I have?
Where can I find more information about this cancer?
Was my case discussed at a meeting, where a number of oncologists, radiation therapists, surgeons, pathologists, and diagnostic radiologists review new cases in detail?

Symptoms

Will my symptoms go away with treatment?
What can I expect in the next few days?
Will I experience new symptoms (discomfort, changes) with treatment?

Diagnosis

Do I need other tests or procedures? When do I need those? Why do I need them? How often will I need them?
Are there any tests or procedures that may hurt or be uncomfortable? What can you do to help me to remain comfortable and calm?

Treatment

What is the recommended treatment for this type of cancer? Are there treatment guidelines for my kind of cancer? Do all doctors recommend this same treatment? If there is more than one treatment, can you tell me what my choices are and which one you favor and why?
Where do I need to go to be treated?
If I go to the hospital, how long do I have to stay there?
Will I need to take time off from work?
Will I need to take time away from school?
How will I feel after treatment? How long will I feel this way?
Will I be able to exercise or be physically active during treatment? How else will the treatment affect my life and activities?
What are the side effects of this treatment? How long do they last? Do you have any recommendations for managing these side effects?
Will this treatment affect my ability to conceive a child or maintain a pregnancy (women)?
How will this treatment affect me later in my adult life? What are the long-term side effects of this treatment?

After treatment

When can I go back to school or work?
What should I tell my friends, coworkers, and employer about my cancer?
When can I return to my regular activities?
What happens once treatment is over? Do I need more checkups?
What are signs that the cancer is coming back?
Whom should I call with questions?

Support and coping

Are there other people my age with this type of cancer I can talk to?
How will the cancer affect my spouse or partner, family, and friends?
How will cancer affect other relationships?
Whom should I ask for additional support if I need it?
Where do I turn if I have additional questions about coping with cancer?
What changes should I expect in my body because of the cancer? Are any of these changes permanent?

More Information

Cancer.Net: Cancer in Young Adults