Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What type of head and neck cancer do I have and what stage is it in?
- What is the usual prognosis (outcome) for people with this type and stage of head and neck cancer?
- What are my treatment options?
- Which type of radiation treatment can I consider?
- What is the purpose of radiation treatment for my type of cancer?
- What is the probability that radiation therapy will work for me? It if works, what are the chances that the cancer will come back?
- What are the chances that the cancer will spread if I do not have radiation therapy?
- When will treatment start? When will it end? How often will I have treatments?
- How will I feel during treatment? Will I need to stay in the hospital? Will I be able to drive myself to and from treatment?
- What can I do to take care of myself before, during, and after treatment?
- How will we know the treatment is working?
- Will I need a special diet during or after my treatment?
- Will I be able to continue my normal activities during treatment? If not, how soon after treatment will I be able to resume them? Work? Sexual activity? Aerobic exercise?
- What side effects should I expect and how do I manage them?
- Will I also need other treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or hormone therapy? If so, when will I receive them, and in what order?
- Will radiation therapy affect my sex life or my ability to have children?
- Are there any lasting effects?
- Can I smoke or drink alcohol during my course of treatment?
- Is it safe to take vitamins during treatment?
- What are reasons I should call you at night or on a weekend?
- What are some of the support groups I can turn to during treatment?
- After my treatment is completed, how often will I need to return for checkups?
More questions to ask your doctor are listed here.
