Questions to ask your cancer health care team
The experience of receiving a diagnosis of cancer can be confusing, stressful, and at times overwhelming. It is important to learn as much as possible about the specific cancer, and the potential benefits, side effects and outcomes of all tests and treatment options offered. Your primary physician ideally should help manage your overall care, coordinate referrals, and receive information from specialists. Here are some suggestions to help you get the best care possible:
Tips:
- Make a written list of questions (see below) to ask before any medical appointments.
- Keep your personal medical history, medications and allergy information up to date and provide written copies to anyone involved in your care.
- Bring someone with you to all appointments if possible.
- Take notes, ask for clarification of anything you don't understand.
- Request a second opinion if you want it.
Questions to ask:
- What type of cancer do I have?
- Do I need any more tests? What will be learned from tests?
- What is the purpose of treatment for my type of cancer?
- Am I eligible for any clinical trials?
- Will treatment delay or stop the spread of cancer?
- Will it destroy or shrink the tumor?
- What are all the options available to me?
- Are there other treatments that may be an option at another hospital?
- What are the chances that treatments will be successful?
- How can I expect to feel during and after treatment?
- What side effects may occur?
- How are side effects managed?
- Will I be able to continue my normal activities?
- Do I need to take any special precautions, like staying out of the sun or avoiding people with infectious diseases?
- Do I need a special diet?
- Can I exercise?
- Will I be able to drive myself to and from the treatment facility?
- Will side effects change my appearance? If so, will the changes be permanent or temporary? If temporary, how long will they last?
- What is the chance that the cancer will spread if I do not have therapy?
- How often do I need to return for check-ups?
- If there is a chance that my cancer can be cured, how will you know if I am cured?
- What are the chances that the cancer will come back?
- How soon can I go back to my regular activities? Work? Sexual activity? Exercise?
- Are there substances that can damage the liver and that should be avoided?
- Substances that may damage your liver include:
- Acetaminophen-containing drugs
- Alcohol
- Viruses such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C
- Hormone replacement or oral contraceptive therapy, taken for many years
- Anabolic steroids
- Certain types of herbs and mushrooms
- Any medication taken at extremely high doses (in excess of the recommended dose)
- Chemotherapy agents
- Any treatment for hepatobiliary cancer
- How can I protect my liver?
- Avoiding alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Knowing and avoiding practices that put people at risk for acquiring viral hepatitis
- Avoid exposure to blood or bodily fluids
- Do not share razors or toothbrushes
- Use safe sex practices with barrier contraception (condoms)
- Drug users should not share needles
- Good hand washing techniques to avoid spread through food and water
- Those at high risk for contamination such as health care workers and law enforcement personnel should get vaccinated
- Getting tested if you are concerned that you may already be infected with viral hepatitis (such as those with risk factors or who received blood transfusions before 1990)
- Only taking medications that are prescribed or recommended by a physician,
- Informing you doctor(s) of all medications, both prescription and non-prescription, that you are taking, to avoid medication interactions.
