This content has been reviewed and approved by
Howard Burris, MD
Director, Drug Development
Sarah Cannon Cancer Center
Tennessee Oncology
If you've been recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer, you probably have many thoughts running through your head and you may feel unable to think clearly. Your doctor will understand this. You should feel free to ask questions about any concerns you may have. Be sure to take a pen and pad with you, as you probably won't remember all the answers. If the doctor uses words you don't understand, ask for an explanation.
No question is too stupid to ask. You have the right to have your concerns answered. If your doctor does not have time to give you all the information you need, the nursing staff in his or her office may be able to answer your questions. You may also want to ask if there is any patient literature available.
If possible, bring a spouse, friend, or relative with you. They can take notes from your conversation with the doctor. You may even want to tape record your discussion so you can replay the answers to your questions at a later time. Of course, you must first ask your doctor's permission to do this.
About Your Cancer
- What type of cancer do I have?
- How far advanced is my cancer?
- Do you know how quickly it is likely to grow?
- Will it make a difference if I change my diet?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to improve my prognosis?
Tests
- What other tests are you recommending?
- What extra information do you get from each of these tests?
- How soon I do get the results of these tests?
- What does each of these tests involve? How should I prepare for them?
Treatment
- What is the recommended treatment for my stage of cancer?
- Can I enroll in a clinical trial? Would I receive better medications?
- If I don’t have insurance coverage, what are my options?
- Which center would be able to provide the best treatment for my cancer?
- When should I start treatment?
- If I have treatment, could my cancer return?
- If the cancer comes back, can it again be treated successfully?
Stages 1, 2, and 3
- Should I have additional treatment, even if the cancer is removed by surgery?
Stage IV/Recurrent/Relapsed
- Will the results of the treatment be worth the side effects I may get?
- Can I choose less aggressive treatment just to keep me comfortable?
- What will happen if I refuse further treatment?
Surgery
- How many days will I have to spend in the hospital?
- Will the surgery be painful?
- How will I feel afterwards?
- What are the side effects after surgery?
- Afterwards, will I feel physically normal?
- When will I know if it was successful?
Chemotherapy
- What are the names of the drugs that will be used?
- Why are you recommending those particular drugs?
- Is there evidence that they are more effective than other chemotherapy drugs?
- How many treatments will I need?
- How will the treatments be given?
- Can I go home afterwards?
- What will I feel like after my treatments?
- Will I be able to work? Will I be able to take care of my spouse and children?
- What are the possible side effects of these treatments?
- Will my hair fall out? Will I be nauseous? Will I be exhausted? Will I get mouth sores?
- Is there anything I can do to lessen the side effects?
- If I am taking chemotherapy, can I eat all kinds of foods?
- Can I drink alcohol?
- Can the cancer spread, even though I am on chemotherapy?
- Will chemotherapy affect my sex life?
- (For women): Will chemotherapy affect my chances of getting pregnant and having a normal baby?
- (For men): Will chemotherapy affect my chances of fathering a child?
Radiation
- What areas of my body will be treated with radiation?
- How many treatments will I have?
- How will I feel after the treatments?
- Will I be able to work? Will I be able to take care of my spouse and children?
- What are the side effects of radiation?
- Is there anything I can do to lessen the side effects?
- Can I eat or drink anything I want during the weeks I have radiation?
- Can I drink alcohol?
- Will this affect my sex life?
- (For women): Will radiation affect my chances of getting pregnant and having a normal baby?
- (For men): Will radiation affect my chances of fathering a child?