What questions should I ask after a cancer diagnosis?

The National Cancer Institute suggests starting with the basics: what type of cancer you have, what stage it is, and whether it has spread to other areas of your body. These three answers form the foundation for most of the conversations that follow.

From there, it helps to ask about next steps — whether you'll need more tests before treatment begins, and which ones, and which types of doctors you'll need to see. It's also completely reasonable to ask whether your doctor can help you find someone for a second opinion on the best treatment plan.

Some people also want to ask how serious the cancer is and what their chances of survival are. This is a personal choice — some people want specific numbers, and others would rather not hear them right away. You're allowed to tell your doctor how much detail you want, and that can change over time.

You don't need to ask everything in one visit. Writing a short list beforehand, and bringing someone to help you remember the answers, can make a newly-diagnosed appointment easier to get through.