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Just diagnosed

For the first visits after a diagnosis.

National Cancer Institute Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Your Diagnosis Updated April 11, 2022

About your diagnosis What type of cancer do I have? What is the stage of my cancer? Has it spread to other areas of my body? Will I need more tests before treatment begins? Which ones? Which types of doctors do I need to see for my cancer treatment? Will you help me find a doctor to give me another opinion on the best treatment plan for me? How serious is my cancer? What are my chances of survival?

Choosing and having treatment

For deciding on treatment and for the weeks of treatment.

National Cancer Institute Questions to Ask about Cancer Treatment Updated February 22, 2023

About cancer treatment What are treatments for my type and stage of cancer? Where can I find more information about the types of cancer treatments? What are the benefits and risks of each of these treatments? What treatment do you recommend? Why do you think it is best for me? When will I need to start treatment? Will I need to be in the hospital for treatment? If so, for how long? What is my chance of recovery with this treatment? How will we know if the treatment is working? Would a clinical trial (research study) be right for me? How do I find out about studies for my type and stage of cancer?

Finding a specialist and a second opinion Will I need a specialist(s) for my cancer treatment? Will you help me find a doctor for a second opinion on the best treatment plan for me?

What happens during treatment Where will I go for treatment? How is the treatment given? How long will each treatment session take? How many treatment sessions will I have? Should a family member or friend come with me to my treatment sessions? How will I feel after each treatment? Will I be able to go about my day or should I plan to rest? Will I be able to work? Should I think about going part-time? Will treatment affect my appetite or make it hard to eat? What should I do if a weather or other emergency occurs while I am having treatment?

Side effects What are the possible side effects of the treatment? What side effects may happen during or between my treatment sessions? Are there any side effects that I should call you about right away? Are there any lasting side effects of the treatment? Will this treatment affect my ability to have children? How can I prevent or treat side effects?

Medicines and other products you take Do I need to tell you about the medicines I am taking now? Should I tell you about dietary supplements (such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, or fish oil) that I am taking? Could any drugs or supplements change the way that cancer treatment works?

Thinking about a clinical trial

Before you say yes or no to a research study.

National Cancer Institute Why Participate in a Clinical Trial? (Questions to ask before joining a clinical trial) Updated November 18, 2024

About the trial What is the purpose of the trial? Why do the researchers believe that the treatment being studied may be better than the one being used now? Why may it not be better? How long will I be in the trial? How many visits will I need to make to the hospital or clinic? What kinds of tests and treatments are involved? How will the doctor know if the treatment is working? How will I be told about the trial’s results? How long do I have to make up my mind about joining this trial? Who can I speak with about questions I have during and after the trial? Who will be in charge of my care?

Risks and benefits What are the possible side effects or risks of the new treatment? What are the possible benefits? How do the possible risks and benefits of this trial compare to those of the standard treatment?

Your rights How will my health information be kept private? If I decide to leave the trial, what other options will I have?

Costs Which costs do I have to pay if I take part in the trial? What costs will my health insurance cover? Who can help answer questions from my insurance company? Who can I talk with about costs and payments?

Daily life How could the trial affect my daily life? How often will I have to come to the hospital or clinic? Will I have to stay in the hospital during the clinical trial? If so, how often and for how long? How far will I need to travel to take part in the trial? Will I have check-ups after the trial?

Comparing choices What are my other treatment choices, including standard treatments? How does the treatment I would receive in this trial compare with the other treatment choices? What will happen to my cancer if I decide not to have any treatment?

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Just diagnosed

Choosing and having treatment

Thinking about a clinical trial

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