What to Talk About with Your Doctor After a Cancer Diagnosis
As a patient with a cancer diagnosis, using the time with doctors effectively and efficiently becomes a necessity. It can also be challenging, given the overwhelming nature of hearing the words, “You have cancer.” Oncologists want to help patients understand their diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, and any other matters related to their cancer. They also want you to feel comfortable and empowered to ask questions and share any concerns.
Knowing how to best utilize your time and feeling prepared will help you and your caregivers. It will also encourage a trusting relationship with the doctor most responsible for your care and well being moving forward.
After getting your diagnosis, address a few basics to start:
Ask about the type of cancer you have, what stage it is, where it is located and if it has spread to any other parts of your body.
Ask about what types of tests, if any, will be needed to determine treatment.
Ask about the most common forms of treatment for the type of cancer you have.
Ask about the benefit of second opinions.
Once your cancer has been diagnosed and a treatment plan begins to form, make certain you understand the plan and your options:
Ask about the timeline of the treatment.
Ask about the goals of treatment, both short term and long term.
Ask about any side effects you can expect.
Ask about the risks associated with the recommended treatment.
Ask about how likely it will be for you to maintain your obligations like work or childcare through treatment.
As with any medical condition, you will understand more once you start treatment, but consider asking about some of the logistics attached to cancer treatment:
Ask about where you will be receiving treatment.
Ask about who to call for urgent questions during evening or weekend hours.
Ask about expected out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays, parking, and accessible food outlets.
Ask about how to access information about practical matters like nutrition, prescriptions, insurance support and charitable resources.
There are many resources available online to help educate cancer patients about how to communicate with doctors and others in their treatment team. Communication is key to ensuring patients feel supported and able to articulate their needs through this challenging time. The American Cancer Society has published a useful worksheet that guides patients through different stages of their treatment that can be found here and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship encourages patients to become advocates for themselves with useful information that can be found here.
It is important to remember, though, that educating yourself and being prepared will not make all these conversations easy ones. You may struggle to ask some of these questions, or even find you are not able to ask all of them. If that is the case, let your doctor know. It is okay to say, “I want to learn more about my diagnosis, but am not yet ready to hear about my prognosis.” It is just as important for your doctor to know what your limitations are as it is for you to know what your doctor’s limitations are. Srilata Gundala, MD, Hematologist-Oncologist and owner and founder of Hope & Healing Care in Hinsdale and Lombard, Illinois strives for good communication with all of her patients, “It is so important to me that my patients feel comfortable to ask questions and share their concerns. It is only when I know what their true concerns are that I can best help them. The trust between us helps ease any fear or anxiety they might have and that makes for easier treatment.” Other ways for cancer patients to feel prepared are to reach out to any available resource to them, like oncology social workers and working hard to find the oncologist that is the best fit – someone who listens, responds, comforts and communicates well.
Written By: Sheila Quirke, MSW
Reviewed By: Srilata Gundlala, MD
