Questions to Ask the Doctor

Regular communication with your doctor is important in making informed decisions about your health care. Consider asking the following questions of your doctor:

• What type of anal cancer do I have?
  
  
• What is the stage of my cancer? What does this mean?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
  
  
• What are my treatment options?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me?
  
  
• What treatment do you recommend? Why?
  
  
• What are the possible side effects of treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
  
  
• Will I need a colostomy bag?
  
  
• Will there be permanent issues relating to bowel function?
  
  
• Will there be permanent issues relating to sexual function?
  
  
• Could this treatment affect my fertility? If so, can you recommend a fertility specialist?
  
  
• How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?
  
  
• If I’m worried about managing the costs related to my cancer care, who can help me with these concerns?
  
  
• What are the chances that the cancer will recur?
  
  
• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?
  
  
• How can I keep myself as healthy as possible during treatment?
  
  
• What support services are available to me? To my family?