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:

• What type of skin cancer do I have?
• What is the stage of my disease? What is my prognosis?
• What are my treatment options? Can I be cured with surgery alone? Will I need radiation as well as surgery, and if so, where will I need it?
• If not, what other treatments would you recommend?
• Will my case be discussed in a multi-disciplinary planning conference before any irrevocable treatment decisions are made?
• What are the benefits of each treatment?
• What are the 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?
• How do you feel about clinical trials? Would you recommend that I participate in one?
• Am I a candidate for checkpoint inhibitor therapy? Should I participate in a clinical trial of novel therapies?
• What should I tell other people (kids, parents, siblings, friends, etc.) about my cancer when they ask?
• Can I be treated at home, or do I have to be treated at the hospital?
• Will you help me arrange for second opinions if I feel unsure about a next step in my treatment program?
• Am I at high risk for a recurrence? What will my follow-up schedule be?