Questions you may wish to ask
It’s easy to forget the questions you want to ask when you see your specialist or nurse, so write them down as you think of them and take your list with you to your appointment. Ask as many as you want.
Here are some questions you may like to ask:
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of radiation treatment for me?
- Are there any other treatments I can have instead?
- Will radiation treatment cure me or control the cancer?
- What difference would it make if I waited?
- Can I have a second opinion?
- How long will my treatment last and how often will I have to have it?
- Will I have to stay in hospital?
- How long will each treatment take?
- Will I be able to carry on with my normal life when I’m not at the hospital?
- If I can have the treatment privately, how much will it cost?
- What side effects can I expect?
- How long after my treatment ends will it take for the side effects to go?
- Will there be any permanent side effects?
- Will I still be able to have children?
- Should I keep on taking my usual medicines?
- Do I need a special diet?
- What is the waiting list for this treatment?
- If I have to wait, will it affect my outcome?
If there are answers you do not understand, it is okay to say for example:
- Would you explain that again please.
- I am not sure what you mean by...
- Would you draw a diagram, or write it down please.