Questions to Ask the Doctor

Questions to Ask the Doctor

Regular communication with your doctor is important in making informed decisions about your health care. Consider asking the following questions of your doctor:

General

• Where exactly is the cancer located?
• What are my treatment options based on my diagnosis?
• What clinical trials are open to me?
• What treatment option do you recommend? Why?
• Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do?
• Who will be coordinating my overall treatment and follow-up care?
• If I’m worried about managing the costs related to my cancer care, who can help me with these concerns?
• Does my diagnosis mean that my blood relatives are at higher risk for colorectal cancer? Should they talk with their doctors about screening?

Before surgery

• What do you know about my cancer at this point?
• What other tests will I have before surgery?
• Can you describe the surgery I will be having?
• What are you planning to remove during surgery (the colon, rectum, lymph nodes)?
• Is a biopsy part of the surgery?
• How soon after surgery will I have all test results and a firm diagnosis?
• Do you think I may need a temporary or permanent colostomy?
• Is this the standard type of surgery for my condition?
• How many times have you performed this type of operation successfully?
• Who will give me information about how I should get ready for surgery and a hospital stay? How long will I be in the hospital?
• How will my pain be controlled after surgery?

For rectal cancer

• Should I have radiation therapy and chemotherapy before my rectal cancer surgery?

After surgery

• What is my diagnosis based on the results of surgery and biopsy reports, in TNM format?
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
• Did the pathologist test my tumor for a possible genetic cause? Do I need more genetic counseling or testing?
• What is my prognosis?
• What additional treatment do you recommend? Why?
• What is the goal of each treatment?
• Is it a standard treatment or part of a clinical trial?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
• How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?
• How long will it be before I can go back to work after surgery? Can I work during chemotherapy?
• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?
• What support services are available to me? To my family?

Question related to a colostomy (if needed)

• Will you refer me to a specially trained nurse to decide on the best place for my colostomy and help me learn to manage it after the surgery?