Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis, you will likely have a hundred questions to ask your oncologist about what this means and what’s to come. But sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what to ask when you’re still shellshocked by the news.

To help give you a starting point, here are 20 important questions to ask your oncologist at your first or second appointment.

When I was first diagnosed, I had no idea the importance of some of these questions. My hope is that this list finds you early in your diagnosis so you don’t have to face some of the same challenges.

20 Questions To Ask Your Oncologist & Healthcare Team

I’ve listed the questions so that there’s a flow to them. I hope this makes things more streamlined for your consultation! While some of my questions are based on my experience as a woman with breast cancer, the majority of these questions are applicable to both men and women of any cancer type.

 Questions To Ask Your Oncologist About Treatment:

1. Do I need additional testing or scans?

Sometimes additional scans or tests are required before an official diagnosis or treatment plan can be formulated. For example, I had to do a PET scan and bone scan to verify if my cancer had metastasized before a treatment plan could be made. I also had to do a MUGA test to verify that my heart was strong enough to endure the chemo regimen my oncologist wanted.

The stage and location of your cancer can drastically affect what surgery and chemo options are best, so this is a crucial question to ask your oncologist from the beginning.

2. What is my anticipated treatment plan?

This question may change if you find out with question #1 that more tests are needed. However, your oncologist should be able to give you some idea of different treatment plans based on your type of cancer. This may involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.

Ask your oncologist for details about each treatment, as well as for alternatives. For example, will it be a lumpectomy or a mastectomy? Which chemo medications would your doctor recommend, and how many doses of each? Are these chemotherapies all infusions (administered via a port or IV) or are they in pill form? If chemo is needed, does your doctor recommend getting a port?

3. Does this hospital participate in clinical trials?

Usually only the larger hospitals or those associated with a university are linked to clinical trials, whereas smaller community hospitals often don’t have the resources. This may not be a problem, especially if you have an early stage or more common type of cancer. However, if your cancer is rare or late stage, access to clinical trials can open doors to more treatment options. Even if you are early stage, you may wish to participate in a clinical trial simply for the betterment of science, which is awesome!

You can also visit this website to find any clinical trials for which you may be suited. The website is a bit bulky, but as of June 2023, they’re rolling out a beta version of the site that should be easier to use, which you can find here.

Questions To Ask Your Oncologist About Side Effects:

4. What are the anticipated side effects of treatment?

While nausea and hair loss are common side effects of chemotherapy, not all of them will have this effect on patients.

Other possible side effects include mouth sores, neuropathy, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, bone pain, chemo brain, cracked or discolored nails, neutropenia (low white blood cell count), a lingering metallic taste, heartburn, and sexual dysfunction or lack of libido. (I know, it’s a crap-tastic list.)

By asking your oncologist about side effects early on, you can research their remedies and have a plan in place in case these issues arise.

5. What are the possible effects of treatment on my heart?

This is one of the crucial questions to ask your oncologist, especially if you or your family has a history of heart disease. Some chemotherapy drugs as well as radiation (depending on the area radiated) can negatively impact and weaken your heart. You may even have to do additional testing, like the MUGA test, to ensure your heart is strong enough before treatment begins.

If the anticipated treatment may weaken your heart, ask your oncologist about getting an EKG or heart test before treatment begins, as well as another test after treatment ends. This can help you compare your heart health before and after treatment, and give you a baseline for down the road.

6. What are some long-term side effects I may experience with treatment?

As explained above, heart problems may be one possible long-term side effect with treatment. You may also experience long-term neuropathy or delayed-onset neuropathy (symptoms occur after treatment is over). Even if treatment is complete with surgery alone, you may have scar tissue that regularly needs to be stretched or massaged, axillary web syndrome (aka cording), or lymphedema. Radiation can also lead to tight and dry skin for months after treatment is over.

As a word of experience, definitely ask your doctor about lymphedema if you are likely to have lymph nodes removed. You may need to get a lymphedema sleeve to help with swelling, in which case you’ll want to get sized before your surgery.

7. Is cold-capping available at this hospital?

Cold-capping, in simple terms, is a procedure where you basically wear a frozen helmet on your head for several hours before and after each chemo treatment to help prevent hair loss. It is expensive and often uncomfortable, but I know many women who found the process to be worth the investment and discomfort.

Cold-capping requires special freezers and equipment, so if cold-capping appeals to you, be sure to ask if your treatment facility is equipped to assist you. Your hospital may also offer financial help so you don’t have to cover the full cost on your own.

8. Will this treatment plan force me into early menopause? 

Many chemotherapy drugs cause the ovaries to shut down, at least temporarily, causing chemo-induced menopause. For younger women, this may only be temporary, lasting during chemo and a few months after. However, women going through chemo in their late 30s, or those who have to be on aromatase inhibitors (e.g. women with estrogen-positive breast cancer), might not come out of menopause.

Unfortunately, many doctors don’t prepare patients for the possibility of menopause. This is understandable seeing as your life is at stake.

But this leaves many women facing hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, weight gain, and a myriad of other side effects they were not prepared for once chemo ends. It’s good to get this answer now so you can discuss options and side effects with your OBGYN.

9. Will treatment affect my fertility?

Treatment can affect fertility for both men and women! Obviously, ladies, menopause means you will no longer be able to carry a child. Gentlemen, it’s also possible that your sperm viability will be affected by chemo or radiation.

If there is even a slight chance you will want to have children after treatment, please ask your oncologist about this now. Fertility can be one of the most devastating losses for some going through cancer treatment, so this takes some preparation.

It’s possible you may be able to preserve eggs, semen, or even embryos, and freeze them for a later date when treatment is over. This can, however, be pricey, so ask your oncologist about what options are available at your hospital, or for resources regarding fertility options.

Questions to Ask Your Oncologist Regarding Treatment Logistics:

10. Do I need to start treatment right away?

This is an especially important question for those wanting to preserve fertility, as such preservation can require a few months. But perhaps you have a vacation coming up, or you have some serious choices to make in treatment options and you’d like time to think. Both are valid reasons to delay treatment, and this may be possible depending on your type of cancer.

Pancreatic cancer, for example, is known to be aggressive and may require treatment to begin as soon as possible. Breast cancer that is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), however, is slow growing, and may not require immediate treatment.

Y’all, life is short! Vacation is totally a valid reason as you may not be able to travel for a while. If the delay won’t risk your health, take the trip!

11. How much time do you anticipate I’ll need off work?

Some patients are able to maintain full-time jobs throughout treatment. Some may need time off from work due to surgery and restrictions as to how much weight they can lift. Others still may need to take a break from work for a few months or even a year if the treatment regimen will be intense.

Obviously, there is a huge range depending on the severity and duration of treatment. Your oncologist should be able to give you some guidance based on your anticipated treatment and what sort of work you do.

12. How much help do you anticipate I’ll need at home?

Surgery may mean a 10-pound weight-lifting restriction for a month or more. Chemo side effects may mean needing help with cooking meals, cleaning the house, and taking care of the kids. Having these questions to ask your oncologist before treatment begins gives you a chance to set up a meal train, schedule play dates for your kids the day after chemo, or be connected to resources that can help with house cleaning and rides to treatment.

Questions About Hospital Resources:

13. What sort of financial assistance does this hospital offer?

This is a big one! If you have incredible health insurance and a good income, bless you. But cancer treatment is darn expensive and can be downright devastating for those without insurance or with minimal coverage.

Many hospitals will offer financial aid that is completely unrelated to your health insurance. Even if you have, say, a $5,000 deductible to be met before insurance kicks in, you may be able to get that $5,000 reduced if your income meets certain criteria. There may be other options for financial assistance available, so it’s certainly worth asking!

14. Ask to be connected with the patient/nurse navigator and oncology social worker.

Your hospital should have a patient navigator, nurse navigator, social worker, or all three. These people can be invaluable during your treatment!

They can connect you to financial assistance options that I mentioned in question #13. They may also know of community resources that provide monthly house cleaning or rides to treatment, or be able to help you apply for these services with Susan G. Komen or the American Cancer Society. Additionally, they may be able to connect you to support groups or a variety of other resources your hospital offers.

Take full advantage of these navigators and their services!

15. Do you offer parking passes or oncology patient parking?

You will be spending a lot of time at your hospital over the next several months. At larger facilities, this may require paid parking. But even if parking is free, you may have a bit of a jaunt from the parking lot to your doctor’s office. And y’all, fatigue is real during treatment!!

Even my small hospital offered parking passes for oncology patients so we could park closer to the building. It’s also worth noting that, later in treatment, you may be eligible to get a disabled parking permit to use anywhere, not just your hospital. This is especially applicable to stage 4 patients as treatment may last years, but could still be applicable to others depending on the circumstances.

Questions About Physical Health Support During Treatment:

16. What kind of nutritional support can I receive?

Your oncologist may have some advice regarding nutrition and diet during treatment. But it can be beneficial to ask if your hospital offers the services of an oncology nutritionist to complement treatment.

Despite what the TV shows depict, you actually don’t want to lose a lot of weight during treatment. In fact, you very well may gain weight with the steroid regimen. You also may have a hard time with certain foods due to the nausea or a difference in taste (such as the metallic taste caused by Adriamycin).

A nutritionist can provide you with options that help alleviate side effects, are easier on your digestive system, and provide the protein, minerals, and nutrients needed to keep your body as strong as possible during treatment.

17. Are there any medications or supplements you recommend I start during treatment?

This may be one of the trickier questions to ask your oncologist. Generally speaking, medical students don’t always receive a lot of training in supplements. However, there are certain medications and supplements that can have negative reactions with chemotherapy drugs. Grapefruit, for example, can lower the efficacy of certain chemo drugs, and it’s advised to avoid eating grapefruit or using its essential oil during treatment.

If you insist on using supplements during treatment, ask your oncologist if he or she recommends a certain holistic doctor who may be more familiar with supplements. If you search for your own holistic doctor, try to find one with experience with oncology patients as we require some special considerations and are unfortunately a bit higher maintenance than the average healthy adult.

18. Should I get genetic cancer testing?

Depending on your age, cancer type, and family history, your doctor may encourage you to get genetic testing to determine if you carry a known mutation. This is often a mouth swab or simple blood draw, and can usually be done at your hospital immediately following your appointment.

It can be daunting to find out if you carry a mutation that puts you and your descendants at risk. However, it is also empowering as it arms you with information in case additional steps need to be taken to prevent another type of cancer. In some cases, such as BRCA, knowing if you have a genetic mutation may also affect your treatment plan.

Questions Regarding Follow-Up Care:

19. What is the best way to reach you if I have urgent questions?

Some oncologists give out their personal phone numbers to patients for emergency situations. Other oncologists are accessible through MyChart messaging or email. And while most questions and concerns can wait until the next scheduled appointment, some are more urgent.

For example, my antinausea medications weren’t at all helpful after my first chemo treatment, and my mom had to contact the on-call oncologist at 8pm to ask about other options and get another prescription. In situations like this, you’ll certainly want a more direct line than your hospital’s general operator if you have immediate questions to ask your oncologist!

20. Can I get a copy of my medical records and imaging?

All of your records and images are rightfully yours, and you’ll likely need them transferred to your primary care physician or other doctors. You’ll also need these records if you decide to get a second opinion at another facility, and having a hard copy can make this process easier. Even if you don’t need a copy of your records right away, be sure you know how to get a copy in case you need them later.

How Do You Know You Have A Good Oncologist?

Your oncologist will be your primary doctor during treatment, so you want to be sure you have a good one. Even with a primary care physician, radiation oncologist, and chemo oncologist, I still have a separate doctor who is my primary oncologist.

You first want to know if your oncologist has experience in your specific type of cancer. This is especially crucial if you have a rarer or more aggressive cancer.

Equally important is an oncologist who listens to you and is willing to answer your questions. If you feel you’re rushed through an appointment or that your doctor simply gives you a game plan and moves on, you may want to consider if this oncologist is a good match for you.

Please know that you can always get a second – or third — opinion! If you don’t feel you and your oncologist are on the same page, don’t hesitate to talk to another oncologist. This can be at any time during your treatment. You may also just want another point of view to ensure that treatment plans line up. Getting a second opinion is a very common practice, so your oncologist shouldn’t be offended if you mention it.

How Do I Prepare For An Oncology Consultation?

You will be given a LOT of information during your first couple oncology appointments, so it helps to have a little preparation.

Be Cautious With Your Research

It’s a personal choice if you want to research your diagnosis before your appointment. If you’re a facts and numbers person, you may want to research your diagnosis and possible treatment alternatives to better prepare questions.

However, if you know that further information will only scare you, then stay off Google!! The ugly truth is that there are some terrible sites with false information, and researching your diagnosis may scare you more than help you. Be aware of this going into it, and don’t trust just any website, especially ones that talk about cancer “cures.”

Take Notes

Again, you will be given a lot of information, and it’s a proven fact that you have a harder time remembering details when you’re stressed or upset. So while you may remember the whole conversation with your oncologist in the moment, you’ll likely struggle to remember details later.

I highly recommend taking a close friend or family member with you who can take notes during the appointment. This frees you up to simply listen and ask questions while you process all that new information. Make sure this person is someone you trust to take good notes!

Clear Your Day

Again, this one is up to how you process new information. If you tend to distance yourself from your emotions, you may prefer a busy day before and after your appointment to serve as a distraction.

However, if you feel your emotions deeply (looking at you empaths out there), you’ll likely want an easy day to process this information. If possible, have a light schedule the day of your appointment to avoid unnecessary stress. Journaling, going for a walk, enjoying nature, or having dinner with a close friend are all good options that day.

Conclusion: 20 Questions To Ask Your Oncologist

Your first oncology appointment to discuss your diagnosis can be a doozy! Maybe this list made you think of a few more questions to ask your oncologist. And while your doctor’s answers very well may leave you with more questions still, I hope this gives you a good place to start from so you feel as prepared as possible walking into your appointment.

On that thought, don’t be afraid to grill your oncologist with questions. This is your health, after all, and you have a right to know what is going on.

Wishing you the very best and big hugs as you start down this road.

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