The short answer
When you meet with your oncologist you will hear a lot of information, and it is hard to remember everything. Writing questions down ahead of time — about your diagnosis, treatment options, side effects, and daily life — helps you get the answers you need. Bring the list, take notes, and consider bringing someone with you.
Think ahead about what you want to know and bring a written list of questions to every appointment.
Key diagnosis questions: What type of cancer do I have? What stage? Has it spread? Will I need more tests?
Key treatment questions: What are my options? What are the benefits and risks of each? What do you recommend, and why?
Ask which side effects to expect, which ones to call about right away, and how side effects can be prevented or treated.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
When you meet with your oncologist, you will hear a lot of information — often more than anyone could absorb in one sitting, and often while you are still in shock from the diagnosis itself.
The fix is simple and it works: think ahead of time about what you want to know, write your questions down, and bring the list with you. Use the questions below that fit your situation, add your own, and skip any that don't apply.
You don't have to remember everything — a written question list and a note-taking companion do the remembering for you.
Questions about your diagnosis
These are the questions NCI suggests when you first learn you have cancer:
- What type of cancer do I have?
- What is the stage of my cancer?
- Has it spread to other areas of my body?
- Will I need more tests before treatment begins? Which ones?
- Which types of doctors do I need to see for my cancer treatment?
- Will you help me find a doctor to give me another opinion on the best treatment plan for me?
- How serious is my cancer?
- What are my chances of survival?
That last question is personal. Some people want numbers; others don't. Both choices are okay — tell your doctor how much detail you want.
Questions about treatment options
Before you decide on a treatment:
- What are the treatments for my type and stage of cancer?
- What are the benefits and risks of each of these treatments?
- What treatment do you recommend? Why do you think it is best for me?
- When will I need to start treatment?
- Will I need to be in the hospital for treatment? If so, for how long?
- What is my chance of recovery with this treatment?
- How will we know if the treatment is working?
- Would a clinical trial be right for me? How do I find out about studies for my type and stage of cancer?
Questions about what happens during treatment
- Where will I go for treatment?
- How is the treatment given?
- How long will each treatment session take, and how many will I have?
- Should a family member or friend come with me to my treatment sessions?
- How will I feel after each treatment? Will I be able to go about my day, or should I plan to rest?
- Will I be able to work? Should I think about going part-time?
- Will treatment affect my appetite or make it hard to eat?
Questions about side effects
- What are the possible side effects of this treatment?
- Which side effects may happen during or between treatment sessions?
- Are there any side effects I should call you about right away?
- Are there any lasting side effects?
- Will this treatment affect my ability to have children?
- How can side effects be prevented or treated?
Also tell your doctor about every medicine and supplement you take — including vitamins, minerals, herbs, and fish oil — because some can change the way cancer treatment works.
Always ask which symptoms mean "call the office now" — knowing that one answer can prevent emergencies.
Making the most of the appointment
Ways to help yourself hear and remember what your doctor says:
- Bring someone with you. A family member or friend can listen, take notes, and help you recall the conversation later.
- Take notes, or ask if you can record the conversation.
- Ask for printed information — pamphlets or booklets about your cancer and treatment.
- Ask the doctor to slow down or explain any word you don't understand. Doctors sometimes use medical terms without realizing it.
- Keep your list going. Between visits, write down new questions as they come up so they're ready for the next appointment.
The takeaway
There are no wrong questions after a cancer diagnosis. Your care team expects them and wants you to ask. A written list — about your diagnosis, your options, side effects, and daily life — turns an overwhelming conversation into one you can steer.
Words to know
Tap any term to see what it means.
Common questions
▸How can I remember everything my doctor tells me?
Bring a written list of questions, take notes during the visit, and consider bringing a family member or friend to listen with you. You can also ask whether it is okay to record the conversation, and ask for pamphlets or booklets about anything the doctor explains.
▸What should I ask first after a cancer diagnosis?
The National Cancer Institute suggests starting with: What type of cancer do I have? What is its stage, and has it spread? Will I need more tests before treatment begins? Which types of doctors will I need to see? How serious is my cancer?
▸Is it okay to ask about my chances of survival?
Yes. 'What are my chances of survival?' is on NCI's own list of suggested questions. Some people want detailed statistics and others prefer not to hear them — either choice is okay, and you can tell your doctor how much you want to know.
▸What should I ask about a recommended treatment?
Ask what the treatment options are for your type and stage of cancer, the benefits and risks of each, which one your doctor recommends and why, when treatment needs to start, how it is given, how long it lasts, and how you will know whether it is working.
▸Should I ask about clinical trials?
Yes. Ask whether a clinical trial might be right for you and how to find studies for your type and stage of cancer. Clinical trials are how new treatments are tested, and they are an option to consider at many points in care, not just when other treatments stop working.
▸What everyday-life questions are worth asking?
Ask whether you will be able to work during treatment, whether treatment will affect eating or energy, whether it could affect your ability to have children, whether a friend should come with you to sessions, and who to call if problems come up between visits.
Questions to ask your doctor
Being prepared helps you get the most out of your appointments. Save or print these questions.
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