If you’ve received a cancer diagnosis or you’re supporting someone with cancer, you will want to know as much as possible about the type of cancer and treatment options.
Here are some questions to consider asking your oncologist at your first appointment or anytime throughout treatment to help you gain a better understanding of what’s next on your cancer journey.
Ask your oncologist questions to help you understand your cancer diagnosis
Chances are you’ll want more information about your or your loved one’s specific cancer diagnosis. Your doctor can help you get the answers you need.
- What type of cancer do I have? Your doctor can confirm the type of cancer and where it’s located in your body. For example, they can tell you if you have lung cancer that’s mostly in the airway or if you have leukemia, a blood cancer that affects the immune system.
- What stage is the cancer? Staging is the process doctors use to describe how large the cancer is and how far it has spread.
- Has the cancer spread to my lymph nodes or other organs? The cancer stage doesn’t always explain exactly where the cancer is, so it’s a good idea to ask this question to understand if it has spread to other areas of your body.
- What is the hormone receptor status of my cancer? With breast cancer, cancer cells may have receptors for certain hormones and rely on them to grow. Knowing the hormone receptor status of your cancer gives doctors a better idea of how to treat it.
- Will I need other tests before we move forward? Depending on how advanced your cancer appears to be, your doctor may recommend additional tests to inform your treatment plan.
- Should I consider genetic testing? Genetic testing may reveal whether your cancer is due to an inherited gene mutation, which can help determine how it’s treated.
Ask your oncologist questions about treatment options
There are different types of cancer treatments. The treatments that are recommended for you will depend on the type and stage of cancer you have. Your oncologist can help you understand which treatments will work best for you.
- How treatable is the cancer? Your oncologist can give you an idea of what to expect based on the type and stage of cancer.
- What are my treatment options? And how successful are they? Your oncologist will be able to tell you which options are appropriate for you. Depending on the type of cancer, recommended treatments may include chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation or other therapies.
- What are the goals for each treatment? Many people will need more than one type of treatment, this is called a combination treatment plan. As part of combination plans, treatments can have different purposes. They may be the primary treatment, which means they’re the main way that the oncologist will try to cure the cancer or remove it from your body. But treatments may also be used before or after the primary treatment, or to help manage side effects.
- Which treatment do you recommend first? In some cases, the first treatment will be the primary treatment. In other cases, the first treatment may be used to make the primary treatment more successful. For example, radiation therapy may be used first to reduce the size of a tumor before surgery.
- Why does this treatment plan make sense for me? Cancer treatment plans should be personalized based on your needs and preferences. Understanding why your oncologist recommends a specific treatment plan can make you feel more comfortable and confident that the plan is the best one for you.
- What are the possible side effects of each treatment? Some cancer treatments come with side effects like exhaustion, losing your hair or feeling sick. Understanding the potential side effects can be helpful when making decisions about your care.
- How will we know if the treatment is working? Your cancer care team will use tests or scans to see if the treatment is helping. The oncologist can tell you how often you’ll be checked and what may happen if the treatment isn’t working.
- Will I have access to clinical trials? In some instances, emerging treatments may be available to you through cancer clinical trials. The HealthPartners Institute’s Oncology Research Center provides cancer patients with access to clinical trials and research, often at their local hospital or clinic.
Ask your oncologist questions to help you prepare for treatment
Cancer treatments are given in different ways. Knowing when treatments will start and how long you’ll need them can help you plan your schedule and make the treatment process go more smoothly.
- How soon do I need to be treated? The oncologist may recommend that you start treatment immediately or wait until you’ve had additional testing. And for some cancers like prostate cancer, the oncologist may recommend watchful waiting, meaning that the doctor will watch the cancer and hold off treatments until it makes sense to start them.
- How long will I need treatment? The length of cancer treatment can vary depending on the type of cancer, its stage, the treatment plan and how your body responds to treatment. Your oncologist can give you an idea of what to expect.
- Where will my treatment sessions take place? Cancer care centers can provide most types of cancer treatment. In some cases, treatments may be provided at a hospital or surgery center. Ask your oncologist about what you can expect from your treatment plan.
- How frequently will I need treatment? This will depend on the therapies included in your treatment plan. Some treatments may be given daily, weekly or monthly, over a period of time. Others, like surgery, can be one-time procedures.
- Who will be providing the treatments? Your treatment may be provided by different types of oncologists or other medical professionals, so it’s good to know what to expect.
Ask your oncologist about how cancer treatment may impact you and how to manage side effects
Cancer treatment can interrupt your schedule and change how your body feels. Your oncologist and care team can suggest ways to help you cope with cancer.
- How will this treatment affect my lifestyle? Some people keep working during treatment, but others may need to take time off. Ask your oncologist about what they recommend based on your treatment plan.
- What can I do to help myself during this time? When you take care of your body, it can make your treatments more effective and improve the quality of your life. Your doctor can provide information about foods to eat with cancer and exercise during cancer recovery.
- What are the best ways to manage the side effects of treatment? It’s common for cancer therapies to have side effects, but there are ways to manage them. Your oncologist and cancer care team will work hard to make you as comfortable as possible. For example, cannabis for cancer can be helpful in managing chemotherapy side effects.
Ask your oncologist questions about getting support during and after cancer treatment
It’s important to know that you’re not alone. Throughout cancer treatment (and beyond) you’ll have the support from your cancer care team. Your oncologist can also direct you to other resources that can help.
- Who will be on my treatment team and who should I contact if I have questions? Your treatment team may include multiple oncologists, genetic counselors, surgeons, nurses, clinical trial researchers and others. It can be helpful to know who will be on your team and how to get questions answered.
- Are there support groups? There are many cancer support groups in Minnesota and beyond. Your oncologist may be able to provide specific recommendations for you.
- Is there any financial assistance available? Different organizations offer financial assistance for cancer patients. Your oncologist can let you know who to talk to if you have financial needs.
During your first oncology appointment, any question is a good question
Your first appointment with your oncologist can be overwhelming. Not only will the diagnosis feel more real but there’s a lot of information to process. Asking questions like those listed above can help you feel supported, confident in the treatment plan and comfortable with your oncologist.
You can also find a lot of helpful information in our cancer care guide (PDF). This guide includes information about the cancer diagnosis, our approach to care, different treatment options (including side effects) and resources available during and after treatment.
If you’re not sure that the oncologist is a good match or would like a second opinion on your cancer treatment, that’s okay too. At HealthPartners, we have one of the largest cancer care programs in the area, and we can help you find a care team who’ll provide the support you need at every step of the cancer journey.
