The first step in getting answers is being brave enough to ask questions. Research shows that many
patients hesitate to ask questions when they’re at the doctor’s office. This can lead to confusion,
unexpected surprises, and decision regrets later on. One of the most important steps in managing your
care is asking your healthcare team questions AND understanding the answers.
Below you will find a few questions to get you started. You may have other questions, as well. Since each person’s case is unique, these questions should be viewed as a starting point in communicating with your healthcare team, rather than a complete list. You can download a copy and mark the specific questions you plan to ask in order of priority, since time may be limited. You can even make a copy of your questions and share them in advance or give them to the doctor/nurse during the visit.
Bring someone with you to your appointment that can write down the responses to your questions and/or ask permission to record the answers so that you can focus on communicating with your healthcare team. If there is something you don’t understand, don’t be shy and ask for clarification.
Diagnosis: 
Treatment Planning: 
During Treatment
Support
After Treatment: Fertility
Cancer treatments may affect sexual and reproductive function, which can affect your ability to have children in the future. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor BEFORE you have treatment so that you can explore your options. Your doctor may recommend a fertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist, who can talk to you about fertility preservation options, such as freezing sperm, eggs or ovarian tissue before you begin treatment. Additional options may include surrogacy, a gestational carrier, adoption, etc. Here are a few questions you might want to consider asking:
When I was diagnosed with
cancer, I was scared and had so
many questions and concerns,
but didn’t know where to begin. I was initially
afraid to ask all the questions I had, and sometimes felt
like they were too minor, and that I was rambling. Having a
list of questions to ask my healthcare team gave me a guide
on the type of questions I should ask, and helped me
brainstorm additional questions to ask. I would often forget
some of my discussions with the doctor and staff, and
writing down the answers allowed me to go back and
reference important information I would need later."
Mary D., Colorectal Cancer, Houston, TX
The first step in getting answers is being brave enough to ask questions. Research shows that many patients hesitate to ask questions when they’re at the doctor’s office. This can lead to confusion, unexpected surprises, and decision regrets later on. One of the most important steps in managing your care is asking your healthcare team questions AND understanding the answers.
Below you will find a few questions to get you started. You may have other questions, as well. Since each person’s case is unique, these questions should be viewed as a starting point in communicating with your healthcare team, rather than a complete list. You can download a copy and mark the specific questions you plan to ask in order of priority, since time may be limited. You can even make a copy of the questions you plan to ask, and share them in advance or give them to the doctor/nurse during the visit.
Bring someone with you to your doctor’s visit that can write down the responses to your questions and/or ask permission to record the answers so that you can focus on communicating with your healthcare team. If there is something you don’t understand, don’t be shy and ask for clarification.
Diagnosis: When You’re Treatment Planning: During TreatmentSupportAfter Treatment: FertilityCancer treatments may affect sexual and reproductive function, which can affect your ability to have children in the future. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor BEFORE you have treatment so that you can explore your options. Your doctor may recommend a fertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist, who can talk to you about fertility preservation options, such as freezing sperm, eggs or ovarian tissue before you begin treatment. Additional options may include surrogacy, a gestational carrier, adoption, etc. Here are a few questions you might want to consider asking:
When I was diagnosed with
cancer, I was scared and had so
many questions and concerns,
but didn’t know where to begin. I was
initially afraid to ask all the questions I had,
and sometimes felt like they were too minor,
and that I was rambling. Having a list of
questions to ask my healthcare team gave me
a guide on the type of questions I should ask,
and helped me brainstorm additional
questions to ask. I would often forget some of
my discussions with the doctor and staff, and
writing down the answers allowed me to go
back and reference important information I
would need later."
Mary D., Colorectal Cancer, Houston, TX