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Biomarker Testing And Me
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Chemotherapy And Targeted Therapies
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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?

COLONTOWN University has so much more to offer, from DocTalk videos with CRC experts to easy-to-understand biomarker test breakdowns. We’re here for you! See our list of Learning Centers here.

Last updated: March 9, 2022