Talking often with the doctor is important to make informed decisions about your health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your cancer care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you.

General

• Where exactly is the cancer located?
• What are my treatment options based on my diagnosis?
• What clinical trials are open to me?
• What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?
• Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do?
• Who will be coordinating my overall treatment and follow-up care?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
• How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?
• Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?
• Could this treatment affect my ability to become pregnant or have children? If so, should I talk with a fertility specialist before cancer treatment begins?
• If I’m worried about managing the costs related to my cancer care, who can help me with these concerns?
• What support services are available to me? To my family?
• Whom do I call for questions or problems?
• Does my diagnosis mean that my relatives have a higher risk of colorectal cancer? Should they talk with their doctors about screening?

Before surgery

• What do you know about my cancer at this point?
• What other tests will be run before surgery?
• Can you describe the surgery I will be having?
• What are you planning to remove during surgery (the colon, rectum, lymph nodes)?
• Is a biopsy part of the surgery?
• How soon after surgery will I have all test results and a firm diagnosis?
• Do you think I may need a temporary or permanent colostomy?
• Is this the standard type of surgery for my condition?
• How many times have you performed this type of operation successfully?
• Who will give me information about how I should get ready for surgery and a hospital stay? How long will I be in the hospital?
• How will my pain be controlled after surgery?
• What other side effects are possible with this type of surgery?

For rectal cancer

• Should I have radiation therapy and chemotherapy before my rectal cancer surgery?

After surgery

• What is my diagnosis based on the results of surgery and biopsy reports, in TNM format?
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?

• Did the pathologist test my tumor for a possible genetic cause? Do I need more genetic counseling or testing?

• What is my prognosis?
• What additional treatment do you recommend? Why?
• What is the goal of each treatment?
• Is it a standard treatment or part of a clinical trial?
• How long will it be before I can go back to work after surgery? Can I work during chemotherapy?
• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?

Question related to a colostomy (if needed)

• Will you refer me to a specially trained nurse to decide on the best place for my colostomy and help me learn to manage it after the surgery?