7 Important Questions To Ask Your Oncologist After a Cancer Diagnosis

It’s natural to have lots of questions after receiving a cancer diagnosis. But it’s also understandable if, in the midst of such major news, you can’t even figure out where to start.

We turned to oncologist Suneel Kamath, MD, for some insight.

Questions to ask your oncologist

“Oncologists try to be as informative as they can,” Dr. Kamath says, “but it’s good to be proactive and ask as many questions as possible.”

When you’re diagnosed with cancer, your oncologist will tell you information like:

• The type of cancer you have and where it’s located in your body
• What stage the cancer is, which measures how far the cancer has progressed
• The cancer’s grade, which indicates how aggressive it is
• What type of treatment they recommend

You’ll want to dig deeper into all that information. But what else should you ask about? Dr. Kamath shares seven questions to ask your oncologist after you’ve been diagnosed with cancer.

1. Where and when do you recommend getting a second opinion?

First things first: Dr. Kamath says people are often too nervous or afraid to ask about getting a second opinion because they don’t want to offend their doctor. But when you’re first diagnosed, getting a second opinion is critical. It helps make sure your diagnosis and treatment plans are correct.

“A second opinion provides a second review of your pathology slides and pathology report, which is the original pathologist’s description of the findings that led to your diagnosis,” Dr. Kamath explains. “This is especially crucial if your diagnosis came from a smaller hospital, which often only has general pathologists and oncologists on staff.”

Large, academic cancer centers have various oncology and pathology subspecialists on staff. These doctors, who specialize in specific types of cancer, have likely diagnosed and treated more people with your type of cancer than a general pathologist or oncologist.

There’s another reason to seek a second opinion, too: Doctors are only human. A second set of eyes can only help.

“Not every doctor can know everything about every condition,” Dr. Kamath points out. “The field of oncology has exploded, and it’s very difficult to keep up with all the latest knowledge.”

Try not to worry about upsetting your doctor by asking for a second opinion. They’re used to it and even expect it — and they know it will bring you peace of mind.

2. What is the goal of my treatment?

It’s important to define the goal of your treatment upfront, at the very beginning of your cancer journey, so you understand what to expect.

Depending on the type and stage of cancer, your goal may be to:

• Achieve long-term remission
• Slow the cancer’s growth and prolong your life
• Improve your quality of life for your remaining days

“You might not be willing to put up with six months of side effects if your disease is likely to come back within a year,” Dr. Kamath says. “But you might tolerate a lot more side effects if you learn that your treatment is likely to get rid of your cancer entirely.”

3. Is a clinical trial right for me?

Clinical trials test for ways to prevent, treat and diagnose cancer, while also managing your symptoms and possible side effects. And there are clinical trials available for every stage of cancer.

But Dr. Kamath notes that there’s a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about this topic. Many people hesitate to ask their oncologist about clinical trials because they fear they’ll be used as pharmaceutical companies’ guinea pigs.

“In reality, people with cancer who participate in clinical trials generally do better than those who do not,” he says. “They’re getting tomorrow’s breakthrough therapy today.”

It’s important to know that any drug that makes it to phase III clinical trials has already been studied extensively. And that no one gets placebos or sugar pills alone in oncology clinical trials.

“All participants get at least the current gold-standard treatment, and some will also get the novel therapy that’s being studied,” Dr. Kamath explains. “So, if your oncologist offers you a clinical trial to participate in, be prepared with a list of questions about benefits, risks, costs and other treatment choices.”

4. What can I do to preserve my fertility?

Many types of cancer and cancer treatments can affect fertility, so if you think you may want to have biological children in the future, it’s important to ask your oncologist about your fertility options. And it’s important to do so before your treatment begins.

“Always raise the question prior to cancer treatment,” Dr. Kamath urges. “You might think fertility preservation will delay your treatment, and there are times when that’s true. But for many people, it doesn’t have to.”

So, what fertility questions should you ask? If you hope to conceive in the future, ask questions like:

• How could my cancer or my cancer treatment affect my fertility?
• How long should I wait after treatment to try to conceive?
• After treatment, will I be able to successfully carry a pregnancy?
• Will my cancer treatment affect my menstrual cycle?
• Will sperm banking be recommended or necessary?

If you’re a parent or guardian whose child has cancer, these same questions still apply. Childhood cancer treatment may affect their future fertility, so it’s important to get answers as early as possible.

5. How can I care for my mental health as I cope with my diagnosis?

It’s never easy to learn that you have cancer, whether you’ve been newly diagnosed or your cancer has come back. And you may not know where to turn for support.

“When you’re navigating cancer treatment, it’s very normal to feel sad and scared, and even to develop depression,” Dr. Kamath says. “Your oncologist can help you find the support you need.”

They can point you toward cancer support groups and other resources that can help you deal with your feelings around your diagnosis. They can also help connect you with mental health services, like a therapist who specializes in working with people with cancer.

6. What will my treatment cost?

When you’re dealing with a diagnosis, the last thing you want to think about is the fees associated with procedures, lab tests, surgery and medications. But cancer treatments can be costly, so ask your oncologist what to expect.

“It’s important to have a frank discussion about finances,” Dr. Kamath urges. “Out-of-pocket expenses like copays, medications and even parking can all really add up.”

If your doctor doesn’t know the answer, ask to talk to a social worker or financial counselor. They may be able to suggest financial assistance programs or other resources that can help.

“Financial toxicity from cancer care is real and common,” he acknowledges. “No one should feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help.”

7. What if there are no more treatments that can help me?

Sometimes, cancer outsmarts the existing treatments. In these cases, conversations about death are difficult and emotional — but they’re also necessary.

“You and your oncologist should have an honest discussion about your best option,” Dr. Kamath says. “This doesn’t mean giving up. It means changing your focus from treating the cancer at all costs to focusing on your comfort and quality of life.”

Your oncologist can recommend services like hospice, which can help facilitate comfortable, peaceful end-of-life care, and individual providers like end-of-life doulas, who can help guide you through your grief. This is also the time to talk to your loved ones, including children, about what comes next — and your oncologist can help you find the right resources for that, too.

“If your doctor doesn’t raise these topics, speak up and ask,” Dr. Kamath advises. “These options can help you understand the process and spend more time at home with loved ones.”