Questions to Ask the Oncologist After a Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Why prepare questions for the oncologist?
The first appointments after a lung cancer diagnosis are overwhelming. There is a lot of information, little time, and many people only think of their most important question in the car on the way home. A written list helps you leave with answers instead of more worries.
Roy Slootheer knew hospitals as an ER nurse. When his wife Becky was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2012, he found that sitting next to the patient is very different from standing at the nurses' station.
Questions about the diagnosis
What type of lung cancer is it: non-small cell or small cell?
What stage is it, and where has it spread?
Has the tumor been tested for biomarkers or mutations? When will we get the results?
What is the PD-L1 result, and what does it mean for treatment?
Can we get copies of the pathology and scan reports?
Questions about treatment
What treatment do you recommend, and why?
What is the goal of this treatment: to cure, to control or to relieve symptoms?
What other options are there, including clinical trials?
How often is treatment given, and how long does it last?
How will we know if the treatment is working?
Should we get a second opinion, and can you help arrange it?
Questions about side effects and daily life
What side effects are common, and which ones should we report right away?
Who do we call after hours or on weekends?
Can the patient keep working, driving and exercising?
Are there foods, supplements or medicines to avoid during treatment?
Can we see a palliative care team now, to help with symptoms and quality of life?
Questions caregivers often forget to ask
What can I do at home to help?
Is there a social worker or nurse navigator we can talk to?
What support is there for our children?
What will this cost, and who can help us with insurance questions?
Can I contact the team with questions between appointments, and how?
Tips for the appointment itself
Put the most important questions at the top of your list.
Bring a second person to listen and take notes.
Ask if you may record the conversation on your phone.
Repeat what you heard in your own words, so the doctor can correct misunderstandings.
Ask for written information or trusted websites to read later.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to bring a long list of questions?
No. Oncologists are used to it, and it usually makes the appointment more efficient. If time runs out, ask when and how you can get the remaining answers.
Should the patient or the caregiver ask the questions?
Both. Agree beforehand who asks what, and let the patient decide how much they want to know.
Roy shares what he learned as a nurse and as a husband. This is personal experience, not medical advice. Always talk to your own care team about your situation.
Read Broken Glass
In Broken Glass Roy tells how he and Becky found their way through appointments, treatments and hard decisions. Order a signed copy or read a chapter for free.
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