Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Coping with a tumor or cancer diagnosis and learning about the various treatment options can be a stressful experience. To assist you in this process, below is a list of questions you may want to ask your physician as you consider certain treatments.

Questions to ask before treatment

• What type, stage and grade of tumor do I have?
• What is the purpose of surgery/chemotherapy/radiation treatment for my type of tumor?
• What are the risks and benefits of treatment?
• Will I need chemotherapy, surgery or other treatments? If so, in what order will I receive these treatments?
• Why do I need this treatment?
• How will the treatment be given, and what will it feel like?
• For how many weeks will I receive chemotherapy/radiation? How many treatments will I receive per week?
• Am I healthy enough to undergo treatment?
• What are the chances that treatment will work?
• Can I participate in a clinical trial? If so, what is the trial testing? What are my benefits and risks?
• What is the chance that the cancer will spread or come back if I do not receive surgery/chemotherapy/radiation treatment?
• How should I prepare for this financially?
• What are the available support groups  during treatment?
• If I have questions after I leave here, who can I call?
• Will radiation therapy or chemotherapy affect my ability to have children?
• Do you accept my insurance?
• How many times have you done this procedure?
• What is the cost of this treatment?
• Which clinicians will coordinate my care?

Questions to ask during treatment

• Can I drive myself to and from the treatment facility?
• Will I be able to continue my normal activities?
• What side effects may occur from the surgery/chemotherapy/radiation and how are they managed?
• How can I expect to feel during radiation or chemotherapy treatments, and in the weeks following therapy?
• Do I need a special diet during or after my treatment?
• Can I exercise?
• Can I have sex?
• Can I smoke or drink alcohol?
• Will side effects change my appearance? If so, will the changes be permanent or temporary? If temporary, how long will they last?
• Is it safe to take vitamins during treatment?
• Will certain medications interact with others I am already taking?

Questions to ask after treatment ends

• How and when will you know if I am in remission from cancer?
• What are the chances that the cancer will come back?
• How soon can I go back to my regular activities? (e.g., work, sexual activity, aerobic exercise, etc.)
• How often do I need to return for checkups?  Will I need more labs or images?

Questions to ask about prognosis

• What is the goal of treatment? Is it directly treating the cancer or improving my symptoms, or both?
• What is my life expectancy? (If this is information you want to know, ask for a window and the most likely scenario.)
• How will I feel?
• What is my likelihood of a cure?
• If I cannot be cured, will I live longer with treatment? How much longer?
• Will I feel better or worse?
• Can I receive palliative care focused on the quality of my and my family’s life during my cancer treatment?
• What options do I have if I don’t want to continue my cancer treatment?
• When should I think about hospice?
• How often should we check in about my care plan?

Questions to ask about advance care planning

• Are there things I should be doing to plan ahead?
  • Draft a will?
  • Participate in advance care planning and decide on my advance directives?
  • Choose a healthcare proxy who can speak for me, if I am unable?
  • Address financial or family legal issues?
  • Appoint a durable power of attorney for financial affairs?
  • Write notes or create DVDs for loved ones?

Questions to ask about family, psychosocial and spiritual needs

• Will you help me talk with my children?
• Who is available to help me cope with this situation?