There is no easy way to explain why you have cancer. Some cancers are
influenced by genes in your family. Some are linked with exposure to
tobacco, alcohol, sunlight, chemicals and other substances.
Most cancers affect adults in their middle
years or older, but anyone can get cancer. And cancer survival depends on the type of
cancer and the stage at which it is detected and treated. The scientific advances in early
detection, diagnosis and treatment continue at a rapid pace, and survival rates are being
extended every year.
It is not unusual for people with cancer to
feel overwhelmed when they first hear the news. You probably have many questions about
your cancer, the treatments available, and how this disease will affect you and your
family. Although the information presented in this site may be helpful to you,
your
physician is the best and most appropriate person to guide you through your treatment.
You should feel free to write down your questions and have paper available to record the
answers you receive. You may wish to have a friend or family member go with you to the
doctor to take notes during your visit.
Here are some key questions to ask of
your doctor ...
Find out about your doctor's specialty
and background. Does he or she have a medical specialty and board-certification in that
specialty?
How long has the doctor been in practice, and
has he or she had specialized training?
Which hospitals are the doctor affiliated
with?
How will the doctor communicate with your
primary care physician?
How accessible to you is the doctor and others
in his or her practice?
In the past year, how many patients with
cancers similar to yours has the doctor treated?
Understand the procedures for a biopsy.
If a biopsy is necessary, which type does the
doctor recommend, and why?
Will the biopsy leave a scar?
If the biopsy reveals a malignancy, what are
the options for determining a course of treatment?
If the biopsy is done under general
anesthesia, will the doctor confer with you before going ahead with another medical
procedure?
Make sure you are aware of the tests being
performed.
How reliable is the test being performed? What
will it indicate?
Are there any risks to the test and any
potential complications?
How long will the test take? Are there any
special instructions?
Will the test hurt?
How long after the test can you resume your
usual activities?
When will you know the results of the test?
Will there be additional tests, depending on
the outcome of this one?
Understand your diagnosis.
What specific type of cancer do you have?
What stage is the cancer in, and how was that
determined?
Has the cancer spread? If so, to where?
Will additional tests be necessary? If so,
what will be done and why?
Where can you get more information about this
specific type of cancer?
What is the prognosis for your recovery?
Be aware of your treatment options.
What treatment options are available, what
does the doctor recommend, and why?
What is involved in the treatment, and what is
the goal?
How long and how often will the treatments
take?
Will the treatments affect your quality of
life? How?
What kind of side effects should you expect?
Can these effects be lessened?
What are short- and long-term risks of
this type of treatment?
Are there complications to this treatment?
What types of doctors will be involved in your
treatment?
How many patients has your doctor used this
treatment with before?
Will the treatment make you prone to
infections? What precautions should you take?
Are there any symptoms you should watch for?
Will nutrition be a factor in the treatment?
What should you do to maintain good nutrition?
If surgery is recommended.
What is the goal of the surgical procedure?
Are there any non-surgical alternatives
available?
What will happen during surgery?
How many of these operations has the doctor
performed?
How many of these operations have been
performed at the hospital by the same staff that will operate on you?
Will the surgery leave a scar? If needed, can
reconstructive surgery be done later on?
How will you feel after the surgery? Will you
experience any changes in bodily function, sensation, or activities of your daily living?
Breast cancer, surgery, and
reconstruction.
What treatment options are available in your
case?
During breast surgery, will the doctor remove
nodes from your armpit or elsewhere? Why?
How will you look after surgery? Will you have
a loss of sensation in your chest or arm? Will you need a special bra?
Are there exercises to do after surgery? For
how long?
What types of reconstructive surgery options
are there? When can you consider it? What kind of restrictions will you have after
surgery?
Does your health insurance cover the
reconstructive surgery?
How will a reconstructed breast feel?
What kind of self-examination should you
perform after surgery?
Will you be able to detect any cancer
recurrence after reconstructive surgery?
When medications are indicated.
Will these prescriptions create problems with
other prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines?
Is there printed material available about the
drug?
What is the medicine supposed to do?
How will you know if the medication is
working?
How often and when should you take the
medication?
Is there any food or drink that should not be
taken with the drug?
Can the generic equivalent be used?
How many refills?
Are there any side effects to this drug?
Changes in relationships, emotions.
Will your treatments affect you sexually? Will
this change be permanent?
Will the treatment affect your ability to have
children? Is sperm banking an option?
Should you and your partner use birth control
during or after treatment? For how long?
Can the doctor refer you to a support group or
professional to help deal with your emotional issues?
Will such a referral be covered by your health
insurance?
Insurance coverage.
How much will the tests and treatments cost?
How much will be covered by your health
insurance?
Will the doctor provide information and
medical data in case your claim is refused?
Is there a patient assistance program
available in case you have difficulty paying for some or all of your treatment?
Can you work out a payment program in case
your insurance does not cover all expenses?
When the chance of recovery is low.
Does the doctor have information on clinical
trials of potential new cancer treatments?
Why does the doctor feel your chances for
recovery are low?
How did the doctor reach this decision?
Get a second opinion. Can the doctor recommend
another doctor or source?
If considering unproven treatments.
What is the treatment expected to accomplish?
What are the credentials of the founder of the
treatment?
Is there any objective evidence that supports
the treatment claims?
Does your doctor believe the treatment might
be harmful?
Would your doctor be willing to be involved in
the treatment?
Steps you can take to make sure you get
the best care
Research your type of cancer. Get
information designed both for the patient as well as the physician. That way you can look
at both the general information and more detailed technical information.
Start a record collection. Ask for
copies of your X-rays and other medical records. Keep your information organized and in
chronological order. This will be helpful should you want a
2nd opinion.
You are entitled to have copies of this information.
Choose an expert. Make sure the
doctor you choose has treated this type of cancer before and is familiar with various
treatments. Ask how much experience the doctor has with your type of cancer.
Present all the facts. Give your
doctor all the information you can, including any changes in your medical condition or any
new illnesses. Be prepared when you meet with your doctor and take a clinical approach to
presenting the information needed to treat you effectively.
Don't rush into surgery. Make
sure you have taken the time to gather information and alternatives.
Don't start your own treatment.
Vitamins and other medications may affect the treatment your doctor has recommended. Be cautious of other remedies that don't have any scientific evidence to back up
their claims.
Make use of your tumor. It can hold
information, such as resistance to certain drugs and information on any possible genetic
link. Make sure your tumor is examined until all the research is exhausted.
Be alert in the future. Make sure
after your cancer is treated that you continue to get regular check-ups, bone scans and
blood tests. If a new tumor starts, you can catch it early and treat it more effectively.
Be a joiner. Get involved in a
cancer patient organization or continue to search for information, both on the technical
and emotional aspects. Get to know people who are knowledgeable and continue to keep on
top of new ways to treat cancer.
