Question Checklist Generator

Questions about cancer and prognosis

Who to ask: Medical Oncologist, Specialist

What kind of cancer do I have?
How common is this type of cancer?
Which parts of my body are affected?
Has it spread to other parts of my body?
Is it slow growing or fast growing?
How is it treated? What are my treatment options?
What is the aim of the treatment - to cure, control or manage?
Where can I find more information about this cancer?
What is the expected survival for people with this type of cancer?
Will the treatment improve my chance of survival?
May I see what notes you have made on my file?

Questions about treatment (general)

Who to ask: Medical Oncologist, Surgeon, Specialist

Why should I have treatment right now? What will it do?
What are the benefits and risks of having treatment?
What is your recommendation? Why?
What can I expect from this treatment?
How well established is the treatment you are recommending?
How much time do I have to think about this? Should I get a second opinion?
What is the treatment schedule (how many, how often, how long)?
What medication do I require?
What does the treatment involve (how is it done, where)?
How does it work? How long should it take for the treatment to work?
Will I need to spend time in hospital? If so, for how long?
Will treatment affect my quality of life (e.g. sex, work)?
What are the side effects and can these be controlled?
What happens if I react badly to treatment and need to stop?
Who should I call if I experience side effects, or have questions?
How can I expect to feel during treatment?
What happens if I miss a treatment?
How often should I be seen for follow-up appointments?
What other health care professionals will I need to see for treatment?
How will my condition be monitored after my treatment?
What should I do to help myself stay healthy?

Questions about chemotherapy or radiotherapy

Who to ask: Medical and Radiaton Oncologist, Oncology Nurse, Cancer Care Coordinator

What is chemotherapy/radiotherapy?
How often will I need chemotherapy/radiotherapy?
How long will the therapy last?
How many treatments will I need?
What can I expect from my therapy? What will it feel like?
What areas of my body will be affected/treated?
What are the names of the medications that will be used in my treatment?
How will the treatment be given?
How will it affect my daily life (e.g. work, sex, family)?
What are the possible side effects of these treatments (e.g. nausea, fatigue, ulcers, hair loss)? How long do they last?
How can I treat the side effects? Is there anything I can do to lessen the side effects?
Will chemotherapy/radiotherapy affect what I can eat and drink?
Will chemotherapy/radiotherapy affect my fertility?
Will I be radioactive?
Will I need to take any other medication?
Will I be able to take multi-vitamins?
If I have any problems out of hours, who should I call?
Is there a possibility of fever or infection? If so, what can I do?
Is there further information I can read about chemotherapy/radiotherapy?
Will I need to have blood tests?

Questions about medications

Who to ask: GP, Medical Oncologist, Oncology Nurse

What is the medication called? How do you spell the name?
Why am I taking it? What does it do?
What are the common side effects? What can be done about these?
How should I take the medication (e.g. how often, in what way)?
How will it affect other medicines, vitamins or supplements I am taking?
How will it affect what I eat and drink?
How will it affect my everyday life (e.g. activities, work)?
Are there other choices?
What does it cost?
Where can I get this medication?
How long does it take to work?
How will I know if it has worked?
What if it doesn't work?
How long do I need to take it for?
Can I stop taking my medicine if I feel better?
What should I do if I forget to take the medication or take the wrong dose?
What do I do if I need more?
Is there any written information I can take home with me?

Questions about tests and procedures

Who to ask: Medical Oncologist, Specialist, Cancer Care Coordinator

Why is the test/procedure being done?
How accurate/effective is it?
What does the test/procedure involve (e.g. how long, how and where is it done, will I be awake)?
When do I get it done?
What do I need to do to prepare (e.g. stop eating, drinking, taking medications)?
How long will the tests take?
What are the effects or possible complications (e.g. risks, side effects, recovery time)?
Will I be able to drive myself home afterwards?
Who schedules the test/procedure?
Is it covered by my insurance or private health fund?
What will we know after the test (e.g. what do we expect to find out, will it affect treatment)?
How long will it take to get the results? How will I get them? May I see them?
What is the next step after the test (e.g. more tests, start treatment)?

Questions about surgery

Who to ask: Surgeon, Medical Oncologist, Specialist

Why is surgery needed?
What kind of surgery will be performed? What will be done?
Is surgery necessary? Are there alternatives?
Is surgery the standard treatment for this type of cancer?
Who will be doing the surgery?
How long will it take?
What is the goal of surgery?
What are you planning to remove during surgery?
What are the benefits and risks of having surgery?
What kind of pain or discomfort can I expect?
What are my chances of developing complications?
What should I do if I develop complications after surgery? Who should I call?
How do I need to prepare for the surgery (e.g. trim nails, eat and drink, medications)?
How long will I take to recover? How can I help my recovery? Dos and don'ts?
Will I need help afterwards (e.g. at home)? How can I get that help?
Who will prepare me for surgery? How?
Will I need a blood transfusion? Can my family donate blood?
How will the operation affect me in the long-term (e.g. activities, work, sex)?
What other treatment, if any, will I need after surgery?

Questions about symptoms

Who to ask: GP, Medical Oncologist, Specialist, Oncology Nurse, Cancer Care Coordinator

Is this a 'normal' or expected symptom?
What is the likely cause (e.g. treatment, the cancer itself)?
How long is it likely to last?
Will it change (e.g. get worse or get better)?
Is there an effective treatment for it?
What can I do to manage it (e.g. diet, exercise, rest)?
How might it affect my treatment and recovery?
If and when it goes away, is it likely to return?
When should I contact you (e.g. if it gets worse or changes)?

Questions about joining a clinical trial

Who to ask: Specialist, Surgeon, Medical or Radiation Oncologist

What's involved in the trial treatment?
How does it compare with the best standard treatment for my cancer?
Who has reviewed and approved the trial?
What are the possible benefits/side effects/risks?
What are the risks of not undergoing the treatment recommended by my doctor?
What can I do if the treatment doesn't work or the trial doesn't work out for me?
Will my doctor still be involved in my care?
What extra tests or procedures, if any, will I be expected to undergo?
Are there any costs involved for me?
How much time do I have to think about it?
Will study staff communicate with my doctor at all?
How could being part of the trial affect my day-to-day life?

Questions about complementary and alternative therapy

Who to ask: Medical or Radiation Oncologist, Specialist, Surgeon, GP, Cancer Care Coordinator

Could this therapy interfere with other planned cancer treatments (like chemotherapy)?
Does the provider have the appropriate qualifications and training?
What are the possible motivations of the provider (e.g. do they make the product they sell)?
Is there credible information or research to back up claims made by the provider regarding treatment outcomes?
Is the product or therapy (and the claims it makes) recognised by any medical authorities?
Does the therapy come with any warnings about possible side effects?
How does the therapy fit into my lifestyle and, where applicable, with my current treatment?
How much does it cost, and can I claim any rebates through Medicare or my health fund?
How will the cost of the treatment impact on my ability to pay for ongoing doctors' appointments/conventional treatment? Can I afford both?

Questions about practical and financial support

Who to ask: Social Worker, Community Nurse, GP, Cancer Care Coordinator

Is there a program of activities available through the support services (e.g. physiotherapy, psychologist)?
What costs will I have (e.g. equipment, medications)? Are less expensive options available?
What financial assistance is available?
Is there someone I can talk to about financial matters?
Can anyone help me with practical things at home?
What sort of practical help am I likely to need?
How much will it cost?

Questions about psychosocial concerns

Who to ask: GP, Psychologist/Counsellor, Social Worker, Community or Oncology Nurse, Cancer Care Coordinator

How am I likely to cope with feelings and pressures during this illness? What have others experienced?
Who, apart from family and friends, can I talk to about my concerns and feelings?
How will physical changes affect my mental state?
What support groups might be worth joining?
How can I help my family and friends cope? What support is available?
At what point should my partner and I seek help with our concerns?
Who can help me and my partner talk about our feelings?

Questions carers or partners might want to ask

Who to ask: GP, Medical Oncologist, Cancer Care Coordinator, Social Worker

How can I best support my partner?
What skills do I need? Should I be trained in some techniques?
Where can I get the information I need?
What can I do and who can I speak to if I am not coping?
What support is available to me?
Am I eligible for financial support (especially if I am a primary carer)?
Will health care professionals want to discuss things with me that they don't want to discuss with my partner?