Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment

When you need to get information from your medical team you may find your feelings and fears make it difficult for you to know what to ask and to remember the answers.

It is a good idea to write down any questions you may have, take a family member or friend with you or ask your doctor if it is OK to tape your consultation with him/her. Remember to take things at your own pace and get your doctor to repeat or explain things further if you don't understand or feel unsure.

Below are some questions you may wish to ask.

• Your Cancer Diagnosis

  
  

  • What is cancer?
  • How does it spread?
  • What is the name of my cancer? (you may need to ask for a simple as well as a medical explanation)
  • Which parts of my body are affected?

  
  
  Certain words are used below, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, whose meaning may not be clear to you. Chemotherapy is simply the use of drugs to treat cancers, while radiotherapy is the controlled use of radiation to treat cancers. For more words that may be difficult to understand see http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary. Another source of information which may be useful includes a UK website about cancer specifically for young people. http://www.click4tic.org.uk/home. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, and need guidance or information, please email us.

• Tests and Scans

  • Will I need a blood test or any other tests/scans/investigations before I start treatment?
  • Will I have to have these tests afterwards as well, and when?
  • What will these tests/investigations involve?
  • What information will you get from these tests?
  • How accurate are the tests?
  • Are there any risks to me in these tests/investigations?
  • Will the results of these investigations influence the treatment you recommend?
  • What did the tests I have already had show?

• Treatment for Your Cancer

  • What treatments are available for my type of cancer?
  • How is the treatment given?
  • Will I receive treatment as an outpatient or will I need to be admitted to hospital?
  • How does the treatment work?
  • What is the purpose of the treatment-to get rid of the cancer or to control symptoms?
  • How long will my course of treatment take?
  • How long will each treatment session be?
  • How often will I need to attend the hospital?
  • What happens if I miss a treatment?

• Side Effects of Treatment

  • What are the possible side effects of treatment?
  • Can these side effects be prevented or controlled?
  • What differences will this treatment make to my quality of life - will I be able to continue my study, work, play sport, have sex, go out partying etc?
  • Will treatment affect my ability to have children (fertility)?
  • Are these effects temporary or permanent?
  • Can I freeze/store my eggs/sperm?

• Other Important Questions about Treatment

  • How much will these treatments cost?
  • Can I be treated as a private patient under my (or my parents) private health fund?
  • What are the chances of the treatment being successful?
  • What can I do to help the treatments work?
  • What if the treatment does not work?
  • Do I have the right to refuse treatment at any time?
  • What will happen if I don't have any treatment?
  • What other options are there?

  
  At this stage you may still be feeling overwhelmed by your diagnosis and the thought of starting treatment. You may feel some pressure to begin treatment and yet you may not feel that you fully understand what is happening or what your options are. It is important that you feel comfortable with your treating doctor as well as your treatment plan.You will probably find the more information you have the more confident you will feel when making decisions about your treatment as well as other issues.
  
  It is important to remember that what others have experienced may not be the same for you, as each person and each cancer is different. You should talk to your own doctor and treating team about your illness and what to expect. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and to ask them again, and again, and again (!) if you have to, so that you feel comfortable and informed about all aspects of your treatment.