ON THIS PAGE: You will find some questions to ask your doctor or other members of the health care team to help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. Use the menu to see other pages.

Talking often with the health care team is important to make informed decisions about your health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your cancer care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you. You may want to print this list and bring it to your next appointment. It may also be helpful to ask a family member or friend to come with you to appointments to help take notes.

Questions to ask before a biopsy

• What should I expect during and after a skin biopsy?

• How long will it take to get the results of the biopsy?

• Will the biopsy remove all of the lesion?

• How do I take care of my biopsy site?

• Will there be a scar? If so, what will it look like?

• Are there any other risks to performing this biopsy?

• Are there other lesions that should be biopsied?

• Which laboratory will examine this biopsy sample? Is there a pathologist who specializes in skin cancer working there?

Questions to ask after getting a diagnosis

• What type of skin cancer do I have?

• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?

• Are more blood tests, imaging studies, or any other tests needed to find out if the cancer has spread?

Questions to ask about choosing a treatment and managing side effects

• What are my treatment options?

• What types of research are being done for non-melanoma skin cancer in clinical trials? Do clinical trials offer additional treatment options for me?

• What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?

• What is the goal of each treatment? Is it to eliminate the cancer, help me feel better, or both?

• Are there other ways to treat the cancer, in addition to the recommended treatment?

• What are the possible side effects of each treatment, both in the short term and the long term?

• Could this treatment cause changes to my appearance?

• Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do?

• Do you recommend any other doctors who specialize in different areas to be part of my care team?

• Who will be leading my overall 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 of cancer care, who can help me?

• What support services are available to me and my family?

• If I have questions or problems, who should I call?

• If I have symptoms or concerns outside of normal office hours, who should I call?

Questions to ask about having surgery

• What type of surgery will I have?

• Where will the surgery be performed?

• What type of anesthesia will I receive?

• How long will it take to remove the lesion?

• How will the surgical area resulting from the removal of the lesion be closed, repaired, or reconstructed?

• Can you describe what my recovery from surgery will be like? Are there limitations to activities? If so, for how long?

• Will there be ongoing pain after the cancer is removed? If so, what types of pain management programs, such as medications or relaxation techniques, are available?

• What will the scar look like after surgery? How long will it take to heal?

• Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

• Are there any other possible long-term effects of having this surgery?

Questions to ask about having radiation therapy

• What type of radiation therapy is recommended?

• What is the goal of this treatment?

• How long will it take to give this treatment?

• What side effects can I expect during treatment?

• Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

• What are the possible long-term or late effects of having this treatment?

• What can be done to prevent or relieve the side effects?

Questions to ask about having therapies using medications

• What type of medication is recommended?

• What is the goal of this treatment?

• How long will it take to give this treatment?

• Will I receive this treatment at a hospital or clinic? Or will I take it at home?

• What side effects can I expect during treatment?

• Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

• What are the possible long-term or late effects of having this treatment?

• What can be done to prevent or relieve the side effects?

Questions to ask about planning follow-up care

• What is the chance that the cancer will come back? Should I watch for specific signs or symptoms?

• What long-term side effects or late effects are possible based on the cancer treatment I received?

• How often should I have checkups to watch for other skin cancers? Who should I go to for these checkups?

• What other follow-up tests will I need, and how often will those tests be needed?

• How do I get a treatment summary and survivorship care plan to keep in my personal records?

• When should I return to my primary care doctor for regular medical care?

• Who will be leading my follow-up care?

• What steps should I take to prevent future skin cancers?

• What support services are available to me? To my family?

The next section in this guide is Additional Resources. It offers more resources on this website that may be helpful to you. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.