Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team 
(Compiled by the editors of Coping magazine)

Questions to ask about the diagnosis:
1. What is my diagnosis?
2. What is the stage of the disease?
3. Is it localized?  Is it extended around an organ?  Has it spread?
4. Is my condition genetic?
5. Is the diagnosis uncertain?  Is the diagnosis life threatening?
6. What should I tell my children and other family members?
7. Where can I go if I need counseling?

Questions to ask about treatment options:
1. What are my treatment choices?  Which do you recommend for me?  Why?
2. How, where, when and how often will treatment be given?
3. What are the changes that the treatment will be successful?
4. What is the goal of treatment -- cure or control of my symptoms?
5. Is the treatment controversial, experimental, or risky?
6. Will I have pain, fatigue or nausea?
7. Are there safe and effective treatments to control these side effects?
8. How much time may I take to weigh my treatment options without harming my chances of recovery?
9. What happens if I skip one or more treatment sessions due to side effects or scheduling problems?
10. How will I know if the treatment is working?
11. What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
12. What side effects should I report right away?
13. How long will treatments last?
14. What are the names of the drugs I will take?
15. May I drink alcoholic beverages?
16. Are there any special foods I should or should not eat?
17. Will I have to change my normal activities?
18. Will I still be able to have children after treatment?
19. Are their options to preserve my fertility prior to treatment?
20. What are some signs of infection that may occur during treatment?
21. Would this treatment aggravate or intensify any medical condition I already have?
22. Will there be interactions with other medications I am taking?
23. Does my age influence the side effects?
24. Since my mouth may be affected by treatment, should I see a dentist before starting treatment?
25. Will the treatment affect me emotionally or sexually?
26. What tests can be performed to see if the cancer has already spread to other organs?
27. What will happen if I decide to do nothing?
28. Are there other options?
29. When treatments are completed, how often would I need to see you?  Would other therapies be needed?
30. Will the disease or treatment affect my ability to work or care for my family?
31. Will I lose my hair?
32. What is the treatment likely to cost?
33. Will my insurance or managed care plan cover it?

General questions:
1. How much experience does my oncologist have with this particular cancer?
2. What about a second opinion?
3. Would a clinical trial be appropriate for me?
4. Who else gets information about me?
5. What is the best time to call you if I have a question?
6. What about support groups?

After treatment is completed:
1. What is the risk of a second cancer occurring?
2. What signs of return of cancer or long-term treatment effects should I watch for?
3. How likely are they to occur?
4. What changes might I see that are not danger signs?
5. What kind of diet should I have?
6. What kind of exercise should I do?
7. What precautions should I take regarding general healthcare, diet, and exercise?