Questions to Ask the Doctor
If you can have a good understanding of your disease and can explain your condition back to your doctor, then you’re in good shape. Questions are your primary resource to gain a better understanding of your disease and enhance your quality of care. Well-thought-out questions can make all the difference and can help you get the most out of your appointments. If you don’t know what to ask, consider questions like:
- What type of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD) do I have? Is it benign or malignant?
- Where is my cancer located? Has the cancer spread?
- What is the stage of my cancer?
- What is the risk group of my cancer?
- What are my treatment options? Which would you recommend?
- What are the benefits of each treatment? What are the risks and side effects?
- How long do I need to be treated for?
- How will this affect my ability to become pregnant in the future (if you are interested in future fertility)?
- When can I try to become pregnant again (if you are interested in future fertility)?
- What should I consider when choosing treatments that are applicable to my condition?
- What are the short term and long term side effects from the possible treatments?
- How do you feel about clinical trials? Would you recommend that I participate in one?
- Will you help me arrange for second opinions if I feel unsure about a next step in my treatment program?
- What should I do to get ready for treatment?
- What should I tell other people (kids, parents, siblings, friends, etc.) about my cancer when they ask?
