Friday, August 21, 2015

Things to Think About Before You Talk With Your Doctor

Most of us when hearing that we have cancer find that our brains turn off, become numb.  Here are a list of questions you may want to ask:

What to ask your doctor about breast cancer treatment

Men and women discussing breast cancer
Some questions you may want to ask your doctor
  • Has the cancer spread?
  • What stage is the cancer?
  • What grade is my cancer and what does that mean?
  • What is the likely outcome (prognosis) of my cancer?
  • What type of treatment do I need?
  • What is the aim of the treatment
  • Is there any choice of treatments?
  • Is there a specialist nurse I can see?
  • Is there a counsellor I can talk things through with?
  • What are the short and long term side effects of the treatments?
  • What can I do to help with side effects?
  • What written information can you give me about my treatment?
  • How often will I have to go to the hospital for treatment?
  • Is any transport available?
  • Is it possible to have help paying my fares?
  • How long will the course of treatment be?
  • Could you arrange for me to have a second opinion?
  • Are there any experimental treatments or trials you would recommend for me?
  • What happens if I decide not to have treatment?
  • How often will you want to see me after my treatment is finished?
  • What will happen at the follow up appointments?
  • Are there any signs of the cancer coming back that I should I be looking out for?
  • Is there a number I can call if I'm worried between appointments?

From: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/breast-cancer/treatment/what-to-ask-your-doctor-about-breast-cancer-treatment

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