If You Are Diagnosed With Cancer

Questions for your healthcare provider

Here is a list of questions to ask your healthcare provider:

• What kind of cancer do I have?

• Has it spread beyond where it started?

• What lab tests were completed, and what did they show?

• Do I need any additional lab tests or diagnostic studies?

• What is the purpose of each test or study?

• How will this information help determine what types of further tests or treatments I should have?

• What are my treatment choices?

• What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?

• What are the risks of each treatment?

• What are the side effects of each treatment?

• What do you recommend and why?

• Are there new treatments or clinical trials that I should consider?

• How long will my treatment last?

• What are my chances of being cured?

• How will we know if this is working?

• How will each treatment affect my daily life?

• Will I be able to continue working during treatment?

• What are the chances of the cancer coming back again?

• Based on what you know about my cancer, how long do you think I'll survive?

• Is there anything else I need to know?

• Where can I get more information?

• Will my insurance cover treatment? How much will it cost?

• What can I do to get ready for treatment?

• How will I reach you after hours, or during weekends and holidays if necessary?