Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Radiation Therapy

This suggested list of recommended questions is only a guide and you will likely have other questions that you will want to ask your doctor.

What type of tumor do I have? Is it benign or malignant?
What stage is my cancer?
What are my treatment options?
Why is radiation used to treat my type of cancer? Would brachytherapy be appropriate for my cancer?
How many sessions of treatment will I need?
If brachytherapy is appropriate for me, what are the most frequent and most serious side effects I can expect? How long will side effects last? Is there anything we can do to reduce the chances of experiencing side effects or reducing their severity?
When will treatment start? How long is each treatment? When will it end? How often will I have treatments? How long will each treatment last?
What will happen if I don't have treatment?
Will I also need other treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or hormone therapy? If so, when will I receive them, and in what order?
Will the treatment hurt?

Will I be able to continue my normal activities during treatment? If not, how soon after treatment will I be able to resume them? Work? Sexual activity? Aerobic exercise?
What is the chance that the cancer will spread if I do not have treatment?
How will I feel during treatment?
What can I do to take care of myself before, during, and after treatment?
Will radiation therapy affect my sex life or my ability to have children?
Will I need a special diet during or after my treatment? Is it safe to take vitamins during treatment? Are there special lotions or deodorants that I should or shouldn't use?
Will I be able to drive myself to and from treatment?

What is the goal of treatment?
What is the prognosis (probable outcome) for people with this stage of cancer?
What is the probability that brachytherapy will work for me? It if works, what are the chances that the cancer will come back?
How will we know the treatment is working?
What are survival rates for my type and stage of cancer? After my treatment is completed, how often will I need to return for check-ups?

How many patients have you treated with my specific form of cancer?
Does this facility offer all of the treatment methods that will be used in fighting my cancer, or will I have to go to multiple treatment facilities?
Does this facility offer any support groups I can turn to during and after treatment?
Is there a dietician I can work with?
What other services are available to help me and my family deal with this disease?
What are reasons I should call you at night or on a weekend? Whom do I call and at what phone number?