Questions to Ask When You've Been Diagnosed with Cancer
If you’ve been told you have cancer, you might have a lot of questions. Your doctor or cancer care team is the best place to start. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Some doctors wait for you to ask questions, but you may not know where to start. It might help to write down questions as you think of them and take a list with you to your appointments. Here are some ideas to get you started.
You can also download a printable PDF of these questions below.
When you’re told you have cancer
Understanding the basics
- Why do you think I have cancer?
- What kind of cancer do you think I have?
- Where in my body do you think it started? Has it spread to other parts?
- Do you know the stage of the cancer? What does that stage mean for me?
Next steps
- Do I need other tests? When and where will they be done?
- How and when will I get the test results? Who will explain them to me?
- Can biomarker or molecular testing be done for my type of cancer?
- Should I think about genetic counseling and testing for myself or my family?
Learning more about your cancer
- Do I need to see other types of doctors for my cancer treatment?
- What are my chances of surviving this cancer?
- Where can I find more information about this cancer?
- How and when should I tell my friends and family about my diagnosis?
Learn more about your type of cancer in 含羞草影院: Types.
Deciding on a treatment plan
Treatment options and goals
- What are my treatment options? Where can I learn more about these?
- Which treatments do you suggest? Why?
- What’s the goal of this treatment? Do you think it could cure the cancer?
Risks and side effects
- What are the risks of this treatment?
- Are there any serious side effects?
- What are the long-term impacts?
- Will I be able to have children after treatment? Are there ways to protect my fertility?
Understanding your options
- How soon do I need to start treatment?
- What will happen if I decide not to get treatment right now?
- How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
- Should I get a second opinion? How would I do that?
- Is there a clinical trial that might be right for me?
Learn more in Understanding Your Options and Making Treatment Decisions.
Insurance and money concerns
- Who can help me figure out what my insurance covers and what I will have to pay myself?
- What can I do if I don’t have health insurance?
- What can I do if I can’t afford the treatments I need?
- What if I need help paying for food, housing, transportation, or other daily needs during treatment?
- Is there a financial counselor or patient navigator I can talk with?
Learn more in Things to Know About the Cost of Your Cancer Treatment.
Getting ready for treatment
What to expect
- What will my treatment be like? How long will it last?
- Where will I go for treatment? Who will do my treatments?
- What side effects could I have from these treatments?
- Will I need to take any special precautions while I’m getting treated?
Planning ahead
- What can I do to get ready for treatment?
- Will I be able to go to work or school, spend time with my family, and do my daily activities during treatment?
- Can I drive myself to treatment, or should I get a ride? What if I can’t find a ride to treatment?
- Will I need help at home? If so, who can help me figure out how to get the help I’ll need?
Self-care during treatment
- Is there anything I can do to help the treatment work better?
- How can I keep myself as healthy as possible during treatment?
- Can you suggest a mental health professional if I start feeling anxious, depressed, or distressed?
Learn more about what to expect during your treatment in Treatment Types.
During treatment
Understanding what’s happening
- What’s the best time to call with questions or problems? How quickly can I expect a call back?
- What if I have a serious problem when your office is closed?
- Will I need blood tests, imaging scans, or other tests during treatment? If so, how often?
- How will we know if the treatment is working?
- What would we do if it doesn’t work?
Diet and exercise
- Do I need to change what I eat during treatment?
- Will I be able to exercise? What kind of exercise can I do, and how often?
- What about vitamins or diets that friends tell me about? How will I know if they are safe?
Learn more in Coping and Living Well During Cancer Treatment.
If you have symptoms or side effects
What to expect and how to manage
- How long are my side effects likely to last?
- Who can help me control my symptoms and side effects?
- What can I do on my own to help control them?
- Should I see a palliative care team or doctor to help me cope and manage my symptoms?
When to call your care team
- What symptoms or side effects should I let you know about?
- Which ones should I contact you about right away?
- When do I call my cancer care team? When do I call my primary care provider?
- When should I go to the emergency room or call 911?
Learn more about specific side effects in Managing Cancer-related Side Effects.
If you choose not to get treated
- What type of follow-up will I need?
- Will I continue to see my cancer care team or just my primary care provider?
- What screening tests should I get for other types of cancer? When should I get them?
- Who can help me manage my symptoms and cope with my cancer?
- Would it help if I see a palliative care team?
- Who should I call about symptoms?
- How much longer do you think I will live? Would hospice be a good option for me?
Learn more about palliative care or hospice care.
Remembering what your cancer care team tells you
It can be hard to remember what you’re told at each visit. It helps to bring someone with you. They can remind you of questions you want to ask and help you remember what was said.
Be sure you or the person with you takes notes during your appointments. If you would like, ask your cancer care team if it’s OK to record your visit.
You can also download a printable copy of these questions below.
Print this list of questions
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- References
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Questions to ask about cost. Accessed at cancer.net. Content is no longer available.
American Society of Clinical Oncology. Questions to ask your health care team. Accessed at cancer.net. Content is no longer available.
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Questions to ask your doctor about your diagnosis. Updated April 11, 2022. Accessed from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/questions on July 14, 2025.
Last Revised: August 11, 2025
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
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