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:

General questions:

• What is my diagnosis? 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 is the goal of this treatment?
  
  
• What are the possible side effects of this treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
  
  
• How can my HIV infection be managed during cancer treatment?
  
  
• 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?

For people who need surgery:

• What are the possible side effects of surgery?
  
  
• Will I need to stay in the hospital for this surgery? For how long?

For people who need chemotherapy or immunotherapy:

• What type of therapy or medications will I receive?
  
  
• What does the preparation for this treatment involve?
  
  
• What side effects can I expect from this treatment?
  
  
• What can be done to relieve the side effects?

For people who need radiation therapy:

• What kind of radiation therapy will I receive? How often will I receive this treatment?
  
  
• What does the preparation for this treatment involve?
  
  
• What side effects can I expect from this treatment?
  
  
• What can be done to relieve the side effects?

After treatment:

• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?
  
  
• What are the chances that the cancer will return?
  
  
• What support services are available to me? To my family?