General Cancer Information

Preparing for Treatment

Many people with cancer want to take an active part in decisions about their medical care. They want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices. However, the shock and stress that people often feel after a diagnosis of cancer can make it hard for them to think of everything they want to ask the doctor. Often it is helpful to prepare a list of questions in advance. To help remember what the doctor says, patients may take notes or ask whether they may use a tape recorder. Some people also want to have a family member or friend with them when they talk to the doctor -- to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.

These are some questions a patient may want to ask the doctor before treatment begins.

• What is my diagnosis?
• Is there any evidence the cancer has spread? What is the stage of the disease?
• What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
• What new treatments are being studied? Would a clinical trial be appropriate for me?
• What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
• Is infertility a side effect of cancer treatment? Can anything be done about it?
• What can I do to prepare for treatment?
• How often will I have treatments?
• How long will treatment last?
• Will I have to change my normal activities? If so, for how long?
• What is the treatment likely to cost?

Patients do not need to ask all their questions or remember all the answers at one time. They will have many chances to ask the doctor to explain things and to get more information.

Once a positive cancer diagnosis is made, patients will go through a number of other tests to see how far the cancer has spread. These tests can include X-Rays, CT scans, and others. Metastasis is when cancer spreads from the original site or where it started.