Cancer
Being a Proactive Patient

If You Are Diagnosed With Cancer

Questions for the doctor:

  • What kind of cancer do I have?

  • Has it spread beyond where it started?

  • What lab tests were completed, and what did they show?

  • Do I need any additional lab tests or diagnostic studies?

  • What is the purpose of each test or study?

  • How will this information help decide what types of further tests or treatments I should have?

  • What are my treatment choices?

  • What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?

  • What are the risks of each treatment?

  • What are the side effects of each treatment?

  • What do you recommend and why?

  • Are there new treatments or clinical trials that I should consider?

  • What are my chances of being cured?

  • How will we know if this is working?

  • How will each treatment affect my daily life?

  • What are the chances of the cancer coming back again?

  • Based on what you know about my cancer, how long do you think I'll survive?

  • Is there anything else I need to know?

  • Where can I get more information?

  • Will my insurance cover treatment? How much will it cost?

  • What can I do to get ready for treatment?

Online Source: National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/overview/page9
Online Editor: Sylvia Byrd RN MBA
Online Medical Reviewer: Kanipe, Jennifer RN, BSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Stump-Sutliff, Kim RN, MSN, AOCNS
Date Last Reviewed: 8/6/2009
Date Last Modified: 8/28/2008