What questions to ask doctor about cancer?

May 7, 2013 Dr Suman Das 2 Comments

What questions to ask doctor about cancer?

When a person is affected by cancer the patient and relatives become very nervous and confused. They try to take thousands of opinions without knowing what they want to know from the various doctors they meet. In this post i have compiled few important questions that the patient need to ask the doctor after the diagnosis of cancer.

Diagnosed with cancer what questions should I ask the Oncologist?

1. What cancer do I have?

2. Which part of the body is affected by cancer?

3. Is the cancer localized to that particular part or has it spread to other part of the body?

4. What is the stage of the cancer and how do u define it? http://drsumandas.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/cancer-staging-a-brief-guide/

5. Do I need some more tests before deciding the final treatment? http://drsumandas.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/diagnosis-of-cancer-few-important-things-to-know/

6. What treatment options do you consider now and what is the prognosis or long term outcome? http://drsumandas.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/diagnosis-of-cancer-few-important-things-to-know/

7. What is the goal of my treatment is it curative or palliative?

8. What are the chances of disease coming back after the treatment?

9. What is the sequence of treatment i.e. chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery?

10. How long is the treatment take place is it day care or do I need to get admission?

11. What is he cost of treatment and will it be covered under my insurance coverage?

12. What are the risks and side effect of treatment?

13. What do I need to do for the side effects and how frequently should I consult u?

14. How will the treatment affect my daily activities and can I continue my office during the treatment?

15. How will you evaluate the treatment response during the treatment?

16. What do I need to do for diet and do I need any special diet instruction?

17. How do I overcome emotional upsets during the treatment? http://drsumandas.wordpress.com/2012/08/16/emotional-outcomes-after-cancer-diagnosis-ways-to-overcome-it/

18. Do I need to do any blood tests or imaging during the course of treatment and when do u advise me to do them?

19. How frequently do u want me to come for follow up and do u advise any tests during the follow up?

I hope my post will help you to prepare yourself before you go to a oncologist and you will be comfortable having your doubts cleared.

Radiotherapy: An Insight (drsumandas.wordpress.com)

2 Comments

Anonymous
October 29, 2013

sir, i babjan my aunty get breast pain for 2 years back and she was taken pain resist treastment in noamal haspital (not with s[pecialist) .but now agin getting pain in left breast and breast getting tight .
i would affaid of her breast pain to cure in a best treatment
but we didnot confirmed whether it is breast cancer or in initial stage .
she is in vizag and she is very poor so i would like help her in giving best curing treatment
so i could i get her good| cure
my mail id is [email protected]
plz give me back info and i would like to get you back personally for treatment.
- Dr Suman Das
  October 29, 2013
  
  U may come with your aunty and see me in nri hospital seetamdhara near gurudwara.