As you cope with cancer, you need to have honest, open talks with your doctor. You should feel free to ask any question, no matter how small it might seem. Nurses, social workers, and other members of your treatment team may also be able to answer many of your questions. Here are some questions you might want to ask:
Once treatment starts, you’ll need to know what to expect and what to look for. Not all of these questions may apply to you, but asking the ones that do may be helpful.
Along with these sample questions, be sure to write down some of your own. For instance, you might want to ask about getting a second opinion, or you may need specific information about how long it might take you to recover so you can plan your work schedule.
Doctors aren’t the only ones who can give you information. Other health care professionals, such as nurses and social workers, can answer a lot of your questions. To find out more about speaking with your health care team, see The Doctor-Patient Relationship.
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: March 27, 2019
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