Common Questions to Consider Asking Your Doctor Before Treatment
It is important that you fully understand the potential benefits, side effects and goals of radiation treatment. Your doctor and nurses are available to answer any questions you may have during treatment. They are the best source of accurate information about what to expect.
Coping with a diagnosis of cancer and researching the various treatment options can be stressful. To assist you in this process, below is a list of questions you may want to ask your radiation oncologist if you are considering radiation treatment.
- What type and stage of cancer do I have?
- What is the role of radiation treatment for my type of cancer?
- How will the radiation therapy be used to treat me?
- How many treatments will I receive?
- Will I need other treatments during radiation therapy?
- What side effects may occur from the radiation and how are they managed?
- Will treatment affect my sex life or my ability to have children?
- Can I drive myself to and from the treatment facility?
- Will I be able to continue my normal activities?
- Do I need to take any special precautions during treatment?
- What should I do about my diet and exercise during treatment?
- How soon can I go back to my regular activities? Work? Sexual activity? Aerobic exercise?
- How and when will you know if I am cured of cancer?
- What are the chances that the cancer will come back?
- How often do I need to return for checkups?
- What are some of the support groups I can turn to during treatment?
You may have other important questions to ask you doctor. Before your visit, you can also get more information that may be helpful at some of the links we provide to other websites.
