Want to know what you or your loved one can do to manage their care after a cancer diagnosis?
Asking questions is an important part of managing your care. The questions you choose should be based on your unique needs and interests, and those questions may change over time.
Consider the following questions as you decide what you want to ask your health care team:
General information
- What type of cancer do I have?
- Where is it located?
- What are the risk factors for this disease?
- Is this type of cancer caused by genetic factors? Are other members of my family at risk?
- What lifestyle changes—such as diet, exercise, and rest—should I make to be healthy before, during, and after treatment?
- Where can I find more information about this type of cancer?
Symptoms
- What are some common symptoms of this type of cancer?
- How can I prevent or manage them?
- What are the treatment options for my symptoms?
- Will certain activities make my symptoms worse?
- What should I do if I notice new symptoms or if existing symptoms worsen?
Diagnosis
- What diagnostic tests or procedures will I need? How often?
- Where will I go to have the tests or procedures?
- How can I prepare for them?
- What will we learn from the tests or procedures?
- When will I get the results, and how will I receive them?
- What does my pathology report tell us about the cancer?
- Will I need to repeat any tests or procedures if I seek a second opinion?
- How and when should I communicate with loved ones about my diagnosis?