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 laboratory is the biopsy being sent to? Is there a pathologist that specializes in skin cancer there?
  
  
• What type of skin cancer do I have?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
  
  
• What are my treatment options?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me?
  
  
• What are the possible side effects of this treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
  
  
• 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?
  
  
• Is there going to be ongoing pain after the removal of the cancer? If so, what types of pain management programs (such as medications or relaxation techniques) are available?
  
  
• What will the scar look like following surgery? How long will it take to heal?
  
  
• What is the likelihood that the cancer will come back?
  
  
• Are there other lesions that should be biopsied?
  
  
• After this treatment, how often should I have check-ups to watch for other skin cancers?
  
  
• What other follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?
  
  
• What steps should I take to prevent future skin cancers?
  
  
• What support services are available to me? To my family?