Key Messages

• Think about and tell your doctor how much information you would like to know about your type of cancer.
  
  
• Use this list to generate ideas of questions you’d like to ask—you don’t have to ask every question.
  
  
• Consider writing down your questions or contacting the nurse before your appointment.

Asking questions of your doctor, nurses, and other members of the health care team is a good way to learn more about your treatment and follow-up care. It's okay to ask as many questions as you need to. In fact, doctors and nurses like to know what concerns their patients and what topics may be a source of confusion. Asking questions helps give you more control and helps you cope with cancer and its treatment.

There is a lot for you to learn once you've been diagnosed with cancer. With all of the new information you are receiving, it may be easy to forget the questions you wanted to ask in the first place. The sample questions below may help you get organized. Write your questions ahead of time to help organize your thinking. Or, bring another person with you to your appointments that can help you write down the information.

In a busy office or clinic, it may be difficult to have all of your questions answered. Consider contacting the nurse ahead of time with questions. The nurse may be able to answer your questions or alert the doctor of your concerns beforehand. If possible, contact your doctor or nurse by e-mail.

General questions

• What type of cancer do I have?
  
  
• Where exactly is it located?
  
  
• What lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, rest) do you recommend I make to stay as healthy as possible before, during, and after treatment?
  
  
• Where can I find more information about this cancer?

Symptoms

• What are some common symptoms of this type of cancer?
  
  
• How can I avoid symptoms and/or manage them with my daily activities?
  
  
• Will my symptoms go away with treatment?
  
  
• What can I expect in the next few days?
  
  
• Will I experience new symptoms (discomfort, changes) with treatment?

Diagnosis

• Do I need other tests or procedures? When do I need those? Why do I need them? How often will I need them?
  
  
• Are there any tests or procedures that may hurt or be uncomfortable? What can you do to help me to remain comfortable and calm?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?

Staging

• What is the stage of my cancer? What does this mean?
  
  
• Has cancer spread to my lymph nodes or anywhere else?
  
  
• How is staging used to determine cancer treatment?
  
  
• What is my prognosis (chance of recovery)?

Treatment

• What is the recommended treatment for this type of cancer? Are there treatment guidelines for my kind of cancer? Do all doctors recommend this same treatment? If there is more than one treatment, can you tell me what my choices are and which one you favor and why?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me? Where can I get more information about clinical trials?
  
  
• Where do I need to go to be treated?
  
  
• If I go to the hospital, how long do I have to stay there?
  
  
• 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?
  
  
• Will I need to take time off from work?
  
  
• Will I need to take time away from school?
  
  
• How will I feel after treatment? How long will I feel this way?
  
  
• Will I be able to exercise or be physically active during treatment? How else will the treatment affect my life and activities? What are the side effects of this treatment? How long do they last? Do you have any recommendations for managing these side effects?
  
  
• Will this treatment affect my ability to become pregnant or have children?
  
  
• How will this treatment affect me later in my adult life? What are the long-term side effects of this treatment?

After treatment

• When can I go back to school or work?
  
  
• What should I tell my friends, coworkers, and employer about my cancer?
  
  
• When can I return to my regular activities?
  
  
• What happens once treatment is over? Do I need more checkups, and how often do I need them?
  
  
• What are signs that the cancer is recurring (coming back)?
  
  
• Whom should I call with questions?

Support and coping

• Are there other people my age with this type of cancer I can talk to?
  
  
• How will cancer affect my spouse or partner, family, and friends?
  
  
• How will cancer affect my other relationships?
  
  
• Whom should I ask for additional support if I need it?
  
  
• May I contact you or the nurse to talk about additional information I find? What changes should I expect in my body because of the cancer? Are any of these changes permanent?
  
  
• If I’m worried about managing the costs related to my cancer care, who can help me with these concerns?
  
  
• Who handles health insurance concerns in your office?

More Information

Talking With the Doctors and Nurses

Self-Advocacy: Participating in Your Cancer Care

Cancer in Young Adults