Questions to Ask the Doctor
It is important to have honest, open discussions with your doctors and nurses. Feel free to ask questions, even if they seem trivial. It is a good idea to write your questions down so you will remember to ask them during each appointment. Here are some important questions you may want to ask:
- Which type of thyroid cancer do I have?
- What is the stage of the disease? How big is the tumor and has it spread?
- What is my prognosis?
- What is the goal of treatment? What are my options?
- What are the benefits of each treatment? Which would you recommend and why?
- What are the possible risks and side effects of each treatment?
- Do you have any advice on managing side effects? What can I do to take care of myself during treatment?
- What is treatment recovery like?
- What are the chances that the tumor comes back after treatment? What will my follow-up schedule be?
- Will you help me arrange for second opinions if I feel unsure about a next step in my treatment program?
- What should I tell other people (kids, parents, siblings, friends, etc.) about my cancer when they ask?
