Questions to Ask the Doctor

One of your biggest allies in battling cancer is your oncologist. Questions are your primary resource to gain a better understanding of your disease and enhance your quality of care. Well-thought-out questions can help you get the most out of your appointments and can make all the difference. Here are some questions you may want to ask:

• • What diagnostic tests do I need? What do they involve?
  • When is the best time for me to have surgery?
  • Are Phase I study drugs an option for my particular cancer?
  • Do i need to be on blood thinners?
  • Will I need to have any additional devices after surgery? Pacemaker? Mechanical or prosthetic valve?
  • How often will you check an echocardiogram, Cardiac MRI or Cardiac CT?
  • Can you explain my pathology report and test results to me?
  • What is the stage of the disease? What is the prognosis?
  • What is the goal of treatment? What are my treatment options?
  • What are the benefits of each treatment?
  • What are the risks and side effects of each treatment?
  • How will my condition be monitored during 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?
  • Will my case be discussed in a multi-disciplinary planning conference before any irrevocable treatment decisions are made?
  • 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 tell other people (kids, parents, siblings, friends, etc.) about my cancer when they ask?
  • What will my follow-up appointment schedule be like?