Questions to ask your oncologist

Here is a list of questions you may want to ask your oncologist about your chemotherapy treatment:

• Which treatments will I be getting? Which drug or chemo regimens will they include?
• Why have you chosen these drugs?
• How many chemo cycles will I have? What does one cycle consist of? 
• What is the goal of the chemo treatment?
• Are there any other ways to achieve the same result?
• How does it fit into my treatment plan? Will I be having radiation or surgery?
• How likely is it that these chemo drugs will work? What results have you seen in other patients?
• How will I know if treatment is working?
• What happens if chemo doesn’t work or stops working?
• How will I be getting chemo?
• Will I be getting a port or PICC line?
• Where will I get my treatments?
• How long will each treatment last?
• What can I expect on infusion day?
• What do I do if I have any problems with my 46-hour pump?
• Is icing to reduce oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy something your cancer center/infusion clinic supports?
• Will I be able to drive myself to appointments?
• What side effects should I expect and what can I do to be prepared?
• What pre-meds will I get on infusion day and do they have any side effects?
• Are you prescribing any medications to help deal with side effects?
• Is there anything else I can do to help manage side effects?
• Is there a number I can call if I need to speak to someone out of hours?
• How do I know when to call your office and when to call for emergency services?
• Are there any severe side effects that I should be aware of?
• Will I be able to carry out normal activities (work, driving, housework, exercise, sexual activities, etc)?
• Will chemo affect my ability to have children? If so, are there any precautions I can take to preserve my fertility?
• Is there anything that I should do to prepare for treatment to help maximize effectiveness and decrease side effects?
• Do I need to change my diet?
• Do I need to make any changes to any prescription meds or supplements that I already take?
• Are there any clinical trials that would be suitable for me?
• Can you assist in helping me get a second opinion?
• If I have stage IV CRC, will you help me find clinical trials I’m eligible for?
• When it comes to searching for clinical trials for stage IV patients, what advice do you have for me?
• Can you help me put together a care team including surgeons and radiation oncologists?
• If I have multiple specialists to take care of my cancer, who will be the point of contact for me?