QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CANCER CARE TEAM
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Bring this with you. Cancer appointments can come with a lot of information. Use this guide to write down your questions before the visit and your healthcare team's answers while you are there. You do not have to remember everything. Write it down. |
One appointment. One question at a time. One next step.
Created by Cancer Care Package
My Appointment
Use this page to prepare before you walk into the room.
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Name |
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Date |
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Healthcare provider |
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Office / clinic |
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My top three questions today |
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1.
2.
3.
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Questions about my diagnosis |
QUESTIONS TO ASK
YOUR CANCER CARE TEAM
|
Bring this with you. Cancer appointments can come with a lot of information. Use this guide to write down your questions before the visit and your healthcare team's answers while you are there. You do not have to remember everything. Write it down. |
One appointment. One question at a time. One next step.
Created by Cancer Care Package
My Appointment
Use this page to prepare before you walk into the room.
|
Name |
|
|
Date |
|
|
Healthcare provider |
|
|
Office / clinic |
|
|
My top three questions today |
|
1.
2.
3.
|
Questions about my diagnosis |
What type of cancer do I have, and where did it begin?
What stage is my cancer, and what does that stage mean for me?
What does my pathology or biopsy report tell us?
Has the cancer spread anywhere else?
Understanding My Cancer
Diagnosis, pathology and additional testing
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More questions about the diagnosis |
Does my cancer have a grade, subtype, or other features I should understand?
Are there biomarkers or tumor markers that could affect my treatment?
Can I have copies of my pathology report, scan reports, and test results?
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Questions about additional testing |
Do I need any more tests or scans before we decide on treatment?
Should I have biomarker, molecular, or genomic testing for my cancer?
Should I consider genetic counseling or inherited genetic testing?
Could any of these results change my treatment options or matter for my family?
My Treatment Plan
Options, goals and timing
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Questions about treatment |
What treatment or treatments do you recommend, and why?
What is the goal of treatment for me?
How soon do I need to begin treatment?
In what order will my treatments happen, and about how long will treatment last?
Are there other reasonable treatment options I should consider?
Do I have time to get a second opinion?
Are there clinical trials that may be appropriate for me?
What Treatment May Look Like
Surgery, recovery and everyday life
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If surgery is part of my plan |
What surgery do you recommend, and why?
What should I expect before surgery and during recovery?
How long might I be in the hospital or need help at home?
What restrictions will I have afterward, and when can I return to usual activities?
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Questions about everyday life |
Will I be able to work, exercise, drive, and do my usual activities during treatment?
Will I need someone to drive me or stay with me after treatment?
Could treatment affect my appetite, sleep, fertility, sexual health, or energy?
Side Effects + Safety
Know what is expected - and when to call
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Questions about side effects |
What side effects are most common with my treatment?
What can we do to prevent or manage them?
Are there possible long-term or late effects I should know about?
Which symptoms should make me call your office right away?
Which symptoms mean I should go to the emergency room?
Who should I call after hours or on weekends?
Are there medicines, vitamins, supplements, foods, or alcohol I should avoid?
Support + Next Steps
You do not have to do this alone
|
Questions about support |
Is there a patient navigator or social worker who can help me?
Are nutrition, counseling, spiritual care, or support groups available?
Who can help with transportation, insurance, treatment costs, or practical needs?
Are there resources for my spouse, children, caregiver, or family?
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Questions about what comes next |
How will we know whether treatment is working?
What tests, scans, or follow-up appointments will I need?
What happens if this treatment does not work as expected?
The Question I Don't Want to Forget
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Ask this before you leave: What am I not asking that you think I should know? Sometimes you simply do not know what you do not know. This question gives your healthcare team a chance to fill in the gaps. |
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Answer / important information |
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My next steps |
Educational use only. This guide does not replace medical advice from your cancer care team. Questions were informed by American Cancer Society patient guidance on cancer diagnosis, treatment decisions, biomarker testing, and treatment side effects.
|
Questions about additional testing |
Do I need any more tests or scans before we decide on treatment?
Should I have biomarker, molecular, or genomic testing for my cancer?
Should I consider genetic counseling or inherited genetic testing?
Could any of these results change my treatment options or matter for my family?
My Treatment Plan
Options, goals and timing
|
Questions about treatment |
What treatment or treatments do you recommend, and why?
What is the goal of treatment for me?
How soon do I need to begin treatment?
In what order will my treatments happen, and about how long will treatment last?
Are there other reasonable treatment options I should consider?
Do I have time to get a second opinion?
Are there clinical trials that may be appropriate for me?
What Treatment May Look Like
Surgery, recovery and everyday life
|
If surgery is part of my plan |
What surgery do you recommend, and why?
What should I expect before surgery and during recovery?
How long might I be in the hospital or need help at home?
What restrictions will I have afterward, and when can I return to usual activities?
|
Questions about everyday life |
Will I be able to work, exercise, drive, and do my usual activities during treatment?
Will I need someone to drive me or stay with me after treatment?
Could treatment affect my appetite, sleep, fertility, sexual health, or energy?
Side Effects + Safety
Know what is expected - and when to call
|
Questions about side effects |
What side effects are most common with my treatment?
What can we do to prevent or manage them?
Are there possible long-term or late effects I should know about?
Which symptoms should make me call your office right away?
Which symptoms mean I should go to the emergency room?
Who should I call after hours or on weekends?
Are there medicines, vitamins, supplements, foods, or alcohol I should avoid?
Support + Next Steps
You do not have to do this alone
|
Questions about support |
Is there a patient navigator or social worker who can help me?
Are nutrition, counseling, spiritual care, or support groups available?
Who can help with transportation, insurance, treatment costs, or practical needs?
Are there resources for my spouse, children, caregiver, or family?
|
Questions about what comes next |
How will we know whether treatment is working?
What tests, scans, or follow-up appointments will I need?
What happens if this treatment does not work as expected?
The Question I Don't Want to Forget
|
Ask this before you leave: What am I not asking that you think I should know? Sometimes you simply do not know what you do not know. This question gives your healthcare team a chance to fill in the gaps. |
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Answer / important information |
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My next steps |
Educational use only. This guide does not replace medical advice from your cancer care team. Questions were informed by American Cancer Society patient guidance on cancer diagnosis, treatment decisions, biomarker testing, and treatment side effects.
