Patient question lists
Short real-world notes that help someone know what to ask before chemo, radiation, surgery, a scan, a trial visit, or a financial-navigation call.
Real experience, with consent
Share what helped, so the next person feels less alone
We want first-hand patient and caregiver lessons, but only real ones. We do not invent stories, quotes, or testimonials. If we publish part of your experience, we will ask for consent and give you a chance to review the excerpt first.
How first-hand experience may be used
Caregiver logistics guides
Practical lessons on rides, meals, calendars, childcare, work, family updates, and boundaries, without exposing private family details.
Quote-supported explainers
A source-backed Cancer Explained guide may include a brief approved quote when a real experience makes the page clearer.
What we will ask
We focus on practical details: what you wish you knew, what made the day easier, what was confusing, and what questions helped. We do not ask you to share private medical records, and we do not turn your experience into advice for everyone.
Interview topics we are collecting
- What I wish I asked before chemo
- How I prepared for my first oncology visit
- What helped during radiation fatigue
- How caregivers organized rides, meals, and work
- What I wish I asked the financial navigator
- Questions that helped me decide about a clinical trial
How consent works
- Tell us which topic fits your experience and how you want to be contacted.
- We ask practical questions by email or interview, depending on what you prefer.
- An editor turns the interview into a short excerpt or checklist item.
- You review the exact excerpt before anything is published.
- We label it as first-hand experience, not medical advice.
Privacy choices
You can choose how you are identified: full name, first name only, initials, or anonymous. We remove details that could identify you unless you clearly want them included.
What we do not collect
- Full medical records
- Insurance ID numbers, bills with account numbers, or private employer details
- Names of clinicians, clinics, or other patients without permission
- Advice telling another person what treatment choice to make
Clinicians and advocates can also volunteer to review content, or share the outreach kit with a clinic, library, support group, or patient navigation team.