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:

Prevention/before a diagnosis of cervical cancer

• Should I receive the HPV vaccine?
  
  
• Should I be tested for an HPV infection? What does this mean?
  
  
• How often should I have a Pap test?
  
  
• Is cervical cancer a sexually transmitted disease?

After a diagnosis of cervical cancer or precancer

• What is my diagnosis, and what does it mean?
  
  
• What is the stage of the cancer? What does this mean?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
  
  
• What are my options for treatment?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me?
  
  
• What treatment do you recommend? Why?
  
  
• What are the possible side effects of this treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
  
  
• Will this treatment affect my ability to become pregnant in the future? Should I consult a fertility expert before starting treatment?
  
  
• How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?
  
  
• Should I stop have sex during treatment?
  
  
• Will I be able to resume my sex life after treatment?
  
  
• What can I do to stay healthy as possible during and after treatment?
  
  
• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?
  
  
• What support services are available to me? To my family?