Questions to Ask Before Starting Cancer Treatment

It is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed when you first realize you are going to need cancer treatment. It easy to forget to ask questions when you are contemplating a cancer diagnosis.

Questions you should ask before cancer treatments

The reality is, the more you know about the type of cancer you are dealing with, the more probable you are to make decisions that are beneficial to your health. This article will explore some of the questions patients should discuss with their doctors before starting cancer treatments. The most important ones include:

• What type of cancer is it?
• How advanced is the cancer?
• What is the prognosis?
• What are the most effective treatment options?
• Are any of the treatments experimental?
• What kind of complications can the cancer cause?
• Should lifestyle and diet changes be made before starting treatment?
• How much experience do you have dealing with this kind of cancer
• What are the doctor's qualifications?
• Which hospitals does the doctor work with?
• Does the doctor have any recommendations for a second opinion?

Getting the most out of your appointment

Here are some simple things a patient can do to get the most out of their meeting with an oncologist. The patient will be bombarded with all sorts of information like medical jargon and medicines. Simple things the patient can do to ensure they do not forget what they are told include:

Write down notes

Take something to jot down important information or use your smartphone. If it is okay with the doctor, the patient should consider recording the session.

Bring someone along

They can provide moral support during the appointment, and they might remember things the patient forgets. They might also have some good questions the patient has not thought of or can remind the patient about something they wanted to discuss with the doctor.

Ask for literature you can take home

Most doctors have lots of available resources that patients can take back with them and use to educate themselves about cancer. Going over the details of your cancer away from the sometimes stressful environment of a doctor's office can reveal things that were missed earlier.

Get the doctor's number

It is pretty much guaranteed that most patients will think of a few more questions when they get back home. Having the doctor or their assistant's number makes it easier for the patient to get the answers they are looking for.

Ask the doctor how to get hold of them when necessary

By learning as much as possible during the initial consultation, the patient can prepare themselves mentally and physically for the treatment. Thanks to innovations in medicine, the rates of successful cancer treatment continue to rise.

We are here to help

Need help dealing with your cancer diagnosis? Stop by our clinic for an assessment and a second opinion. We provide diagnosis and treatments for various types of cancers. Get the answers you need today.

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Request an appointment here: https://lindenbergcancer.com or call Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center at (856) 475-0876 for an appointment in our Marlton office.

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