Questions to ask about treatments for cancer
Below are some examples of questions that you may like to ask your doctor or consultant about treatments available.
- General questions for all types of treatment
- Questions about surgery
- Questions about chemotherapy
- Questions about radiotherapy
General questions for all types of treatment
- What is the aim of the treatment and how long will it take?
- Why is this the best treatment for me?
- Is there any other treatment available to me?
- How successful is this treatment likely to be?
- Do you have any written information about the treatment?
- Does the treatment have any side effects - short, medium and long term?
- How will this treatment affect other medical problems that I have or the medications I am taking?
- Where will I be treated?
- Will I stay in hospital and if so for how long?
- What care will I need afterwards?
- What activities will I need to avoid and for how long?
- What should I do to look after myself during treatment?
- What is likely to happen if I choose not to have treatment?
- Are there any current clinical trials that are relevant to my type of cancer?
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Other questions about surgery
- What surgery is planned?
- What will happen during the surgery?
- Which doctors will do the operation?
- Will I have a general or local anaesthetic?
- How do the possible benefits and risks of surgery compare with other treatments?
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Other questions about chemotherapy
- What are the names of the chemotherapy drugs?
- How long will the whole course of chemotherapy treatment take?How many sessions will I have and how long will each session last?
- What side effects should I report to you during and after the treatment?
- Should I have someone with me when I come for treatment?
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Questions about radiotherapy
- What kind of radiotherapy is planned for me?
- How long will the whole course of radiotherapy treatment last?
- How long will each session of treatment last?
- What side effects should I report to you during or after treatment?
- Should I have someone with me when I come for treatment?
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Page last edited: 21 October 2011
