Questions to Ask Your Oncologist Regarding Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Questions To Ask Your Physician Regarding Chemotherapy

From my personal experience, I have come up with the following questions to ask your oncologist regarding chemotherapy. These questions can help guide your discussions with your doctor, but are no means an exclusive list. These questions will usually prompt discussion of topics not listed here. It is a good idea to print these and take them with you to your doctor's visit, and write down the answers. Even better, bring someone else along who can do the writing for you, and to help you remember important points.

WHY CHEMOTHERAPY?

1. Why is chemotherapy necessary in my case?

1. What is the importance of lymph node involvement and how many are involved?

1. What is my hormone receptor status and her2/neu status and how does each affect my treatment?

1. If there are no lymph nodes involved, why should chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy still be considered?

CHEMOTHERAPY DRUGS

1. What drugs will I be taking and why?

1. What are the drugs supposed to do?

1. What are the short term and long term risks?
2. What are the possible side effects and are they permanent?

1. What side effects should I report to you immediately, and who do I call?

CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENTS

1. How soon will the chemotherapy be started and where will the treatments be administered?

1. How long will each treatment take? How often will the treatment be administered and how long will the series or rounds of chemotherapy be?
2. How will I feel after the treatments and is there a cumulative effect of the treatments?

1. Do I need to bring someone with me?
2. Can I continue to work, exercise, etc. during treatments?

1. Are there foods and vitamins should avoid during treatment?

1. Will I lose my hair, and if so, where can I get information regarding wigs, head coverings?

1. Will the treatment affect me sexually (reduction in sex drive, ability to have children)? Can I be sexually active during treatments?

1. How often will I see my oncologist during treatment?

AFTER EFFECTS

1. When will I be able to return to my normal routine? (i.e., drive, go back to work, do household chores).

1. When the treatments are completed, how often will I see my oncologist?

1. Are there any drugs that I will take after chemotherapy is completed? If so, what are they and what will they do?

1. What symptoms should I be aware of that might mean my cancer has returned?

1. Am I at risk for other cancers, and what can I do to reduce that risk?

1. What cancer screening tests (e.g. mammography, PET/CT scan, MRI, echocardiogram, MUGA, blood tests) should I have and how often?