Questions to ask your oncologist

A cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of questions all at once. Even when a cancer is highly treatable, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed as you begin to understand your diagnosis, meet your care team and consider next steps.

One of the most important things to know is that you don’t have to manage those questions alone. Your oncologist and cancer support team are there to explain your options, help you prepare for appointments and make sure your voice is part of every care decision.

Building a strong, open relationship with your team of specialists — and learning to advocate for yourself or bringing a trusted friend or family member to help — can make it easier to get the information and support you need. Here are some questions you may want to ask at future appointments as well as tips for making the most of your appointments.

Tips for better communication

Knowing what questions to ask the oncologist becomes easier once you have a system in place. Treat your care as a partnership where your voice is the most important one.

• Ask for visual aids. A picture really is worth a thousand words. If you’re a visual learner, ask your doctor to draw a diagram or show you your X-rays and CT scans to explain what’s happening.
• Be honest about everything. Your team can’t help you if they don’t have the full picture. If you’re trying complementary therapies like acupuncture or taking supplements or herbs, tell your team.
• Bring a second set of ears. Take a friend or family member to your visits. They can take notes, remember details you might miss and ask the tough questions if you feel overwhelmed.
• Decide your information limit. There’s such a thing as information overload, and everyone’s limit is different. Tell your cancer support team how much info you want; they’ll tailor communication to your comfort level.
• Start a health journal. Use a dedicated notebook (pen and paper or digital) to keep names, contact info and daily symptoms in one spot. It’s much easier to show a doctor your fatigue or brain-fog log than to try to remember at an appointment how you felt three weeks ago.
• Use the mirroring technique. If your doctor speaks in medical jargon, restate it in your own words. Try something like, “Let me confirm. If I’m hearing you correctly, you want me to…” This strategy helps avoid misunderstandings.

Questions to ask your oncology team

When you’re prepping for an appointment, write your most important questions at the top of your list. If questions pop up at random times, use your phone’s notes app or a notebook to record them. You don’t want to forget that important question you had two days ago and wanted to ask your doctor tomorrow.

We grouped these questions about cancer into categories to help you get started.

Questions about your diagnosis

• Can I have a copy of my pathology report?
• Should I do other tests, like biomarker or genetic testing, to learn more about my cancer before starting treatment?
• What kind of cancer is this, and where did it start?
• What’s the stage and grade of my cancer, and what does that mean for my treatment?

Questions about treatment options

• Are there clinical trials that I should consider?
• How long will the treatment take, and how often will I be treated?
• How will this treatment affect my daily life, work and family?
• What are the benefits and risks of each treatment you’re recommending?
• What are the risks of this treatment?
• What side effects might I experience, and how can we manage them?
• What’s the goal of this treatment (to cure, shrink or manage symptoms)?
• What’s the success rate for this treatment?

Questions about your care

• Do you have a financial navigator or resources to help me with my insurance coverage?
• How can I ensure that all my doctors (primary care, surgeon, oncologist, etc.) are talking to each other?
• If I have questions after hours, who’s the best person to call or email?

Your cancer support team

• Your cancer support team is often larger than you may realize. In addition to your oncologist, it may include:
• Nurses and nurse practitioners, who are often your primary point of contact for daily symptom management.
• Nutritionists, who can help you maintain your strength through diet.
• Patient navigators, who guide you through the healthcare system, help coordinate appointments and recommend the best person to answer specific questions that arise.
• Social workers, who help you figure out the financial (and emotional) hurdles of a diagnosis.

Your right to a second opinion

If you ever feel unheard or that your communication styles aren’t clicking, remember that you have the right to request a second opinion. Good healthcare providers won’t take offense — they want you to feel confident in your care.