| A cancer diagnosis can be so shocking that it may | | | | 4. How advanced is the cancer? Has it spread to |
| be hard to know where to begin when talking to | | | | more than one area? |
| the doctor. It's common to feel completely | | | | 5. Why are you recommending this particular |
| tongue-tied, wondering if it's okay to even let the | | | | treatment? |
| things you're thinking about cross your lips. For | | | | 6. Are there other treatment options available for |
| example, the first question on your mind may be | | | | this cancer, and what are the pros and cons of |
| "Is it curable?" Well, that's a perfectly reasonable | | | | each? |
| thing to be wondering. The doctor may not be | | | | 7. Is there any written material about the |
| able to give you a definitive answer, but getting | | | | recommended treatment that we can take home |
| his opinion allows you to begin planning for the | | | | to read? |
| future and start a conversation about what's to | | | | 8. What are the goals of this treatment, and what |
| come. | | | | is the success rate? |
| When accompanying someone to a doctor | | | | 9. How long will the treatment last? |
| appointment, it's a good idea to bring a pen and | | | | 10. What are the risks of this treatment? |
| paper to take notes, or ask the doctor's staff to | | | | 11. What are the side effects of this treatment? |
| provide writing materials. Many people find that no | | | | 12. Are there ways to manage the side effects? |
| matter how hard they listen during appointments, | | | | 13. How do we know if a side effect is severe |
| the information becomes a blur as soon as they | | | | enough to warrant calling you? |
| leave the office. (If you have a tape recorder, | | | | 14. What do we need to do to prepare for this |
| you might even want to bring it or another | | | | treatment? |
| recording device, but ask the doctor if it's okay to | | | | 15. Is there anything that's important to avoid |
| use it before you turn it on.)Start by quickly | | | | before or during treatment? |
| making a mental list of everything that's unclear. | | | | 16. Can you tell us what to expect during |
| Don't worry if some of your questions seem | | | | treatment -- where does it take place, how long |
| obvious -- if you don't know the answer, that | | | | does it last, and is it uncomfortable? |
| makes a question absolutely worth asking. And if | | | | 17. How do patients typically feel after treatment, |
| the answer to one question brings another to | | | | both immediately afterward and in the days that |
| mind, ask that as well. You'll find that at each | | | | follow? |
| appointment and stage of treatment, more | | | | 18. Is it a good idea to make certain diet or |
| questions will come up. But here are some to get | | | | lifestyle changes, and how can friends and family |
| you started. | | | | help with these? |
| 1. Can you be absolutely sure it's cancer? How did | | | | 19. Are there any new treatment options or |
| you make the diagnosis? | | | | clinical trials we should be aware of? |
| 2. What tests have you run, and what tests are | | | | 20. What's the best way for us to contact you |
| available? | | | | when we have more questions about the |
| 3. Is this type of cancer rare or relatively | | | | treatment? |
| common? How many cases have you seen? | | | | |