Finding out about a cancer diagnosis can be very scary and you may feel very vulnerable and confused. It is very common to feel anxious, worried, and emotional at this time.
Depending upon which stage your cancer is at you may have to make some important decisions, often, very quickly. Therefore, it is extremely important that you have all the right information so you can make an informed choice. It is your right to ask about anything you do not fully understand. You can ask these questions at any point of your diagnosis and/or your treatment journey. This will not affect your care.
The questions asked often vary depending on the stage and type of cancer you have but below is a list of some common questions you may wish to ask. Please note that not all will be relevant to your situation.
When you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it is often a very emotionally challenging time. It is extremely important to take some time to process what you have been told. Due to time constraints within hospital appointments, you are given a lot of information in a very short space of time. The doctor will ask you if you have any questions. It is advisable to take someone with you who can help you and ask any questions if you are unable to think on the spot. It may also be useful to have a list of questions prepared already to take with you, like the one below.
The most important thing to do after a diagnosis is to gather information and seek professional advice. Speak to the doctor, ideally a cancer specialist, nurses, trusted family members or friends. You may wish to consult other support networks such as SMCSN. Be wary of using the Internet. There is a lot of information out there and not all of it is factually correct. Please only consult reputable websites for information on cancer.
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