As you cope with cancer and cancer treatment, you need to have honest, open talks with your cancer care team. You should be able to ask any question, no matter how small it might seem. Here are some you might want to ask. Nurses, social workers, and other members of the treatment team may also be able to answer many of your questions.
Be sure to write down any questions that occur to you that are not on this list. For instance, you might want information about how you'll feel during treatment so you can plan your work schedule. Or you may want to ask about second opinions or taking part in a clinical trial.
Taking another person with you and/or recording your talks with the doctor can be helpful. Getting copies of your medical records, including pathology and radiology reports, may be useful in case you decide to seek a second opinion later.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Last Revised: June 19, 2018
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