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How much do you want to know
Tell your doctor how much or how little information you want
Take notes or have a friend or family member with you. It is hard to listen when you are anxious or afraid
Feel free to respond to an answer with more questions or with a request for additional information until the answer is clear for you.
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Acknowledge and deal with painful feelings. For example: Why me? Anger
Educate people about what's happening to you
Be direct
Express your needs/feelings openly
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Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Biologic Therapies
Alternative Therapies
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The process of finding out how far the cancer has spread
To determine the choice of treatment and the outlook for recovery
Staging is divided into 4 stages, Stage 0 through Stage 4.
In general, the lower the number, the less serious the disease
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Cure
Palliation (Comfort Care)
Goals change occasionally once treatment begins
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Carefully designed research studies in humans that test new ways to treat specific types of cancer
Must withstand a demanding evaluating process
Participation is voluntary
Questions you should ask prior to the informed consent process
What is the purpose of the trial?
What is involved to be part of the trial?
Will my participation affect my daily life?
How often and how long will I have to be hospitalized, if at all?
Will it cost anything for my involvement?
If I am harmed, what treatment will I be eligible or entitled to?
What is involved with the long-term follow-up costs?
Will my health insurance cover any costs?
How long will the study last? Will it require an extra time commitment on my part?
Is there standard treatment for my case and how does the study compare with them?
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Depends on several factors
- Type of cancer
- Stage or extent of your cancer
- Overall health
- Quality of life
- Ability to travel and participate in treatment
- Effectiveness of treatment for your situation
- Side effects of treatment
- Risks of each type of treatment
Questions to ask the doctor
- What type of cancer do I have?
- What stage is my cancer?
- What is my prognosis?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- What is the goal of the treatment?
- What are the pros and cons of my treatment?
- Do I have any other treatments to consider?
- What are the possible side effects or risks of treatment?
- How often will I need to come in for treatment or tests?
- How long will my treatment last?
- What if I miss a treatment?
- Will my life change?
- Will I need to make changes in my work, family life, and leisure time?
- What are the names of the drugs I will take?
- How will you know if the treatment is working?
- Why do I need blood tests and how often?
- If other specialists take part in my care, who will coordinate all of it?
- What symptoms or problems should I report right away?
- If I don't feel sick, does that mean the treatment is not working?
- What are the chances that my cancer will come back?
- What do I do to be ready for my treatment?
- Should I eat or not eat any special foods?
- Will I still be able to have children after treatment?
- Can I drink alcoholic beverages?
- What costs will I have?
- What is the best time to call you if I have a question?
- Will I have pain?
- Will I be able to exercise during treatment?
- Will my sex life be affected?
- How will I pay for this?
- What resources are available?
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The doctor may suggest a different approach to treatment
The doctor may confirm the diagnosis and first treatment recommended
Most insurance companies will pay for a 2nd opinion, check your policy
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Privacy Statement
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1000 Bower Hill Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15243-1873
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