Finding out that you are suffering from cancer, one of the worlds most dreaded medical conditions, can be considered ones worst nightmare. It is not only frightening but also takes a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. When a doctor makes the diagnosis, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and traumatized by the very news. During such a time, it is understandable that you miss out on important things that are said by the doctor. It is extremely crucial to regain your senses during the moment and come to terms with the diagnosis. Accepting the fact that you have the disease is the first step to treating it. Once you have come to terms with the disease, it is important to ask your oncologist certain questions that will help you understand what’s going on in your body and how the oncologist plans to manage it.

But before jumping onto the questions, it is important to understand the disease itself because, without a proper understanding of the condition, the questions that you ask will hold no value.

Understanding what cancer is.

Cancer originates from an abnormal mass of tissue that can grow anywhere in your body. This abnormal mass is medically referred to as a neoplasm, and in common terms, a tumor. Tumors, or neoplasms, are broadly of 2 types:

1.Benign: These are tumours that are not cancerous and generally do not cause any major illness.

2.Malignant: These are the tumours that are cancerous in nature.

The most fundamental difference between a benign tumour and a malignancy is that benign tumours are always localised to the site of their origin, that is they will always remain in the same place, whereas malignant tumours can metastasise, that is they spread from their original site to other parts of the body. This property of malignant tumours to be able to metastasise is what makes cancer extremely dangerous and almost certainly life-threatening in later stages.

Here are ten important questions you must ask your oncologist after being diagnosed with Cancer.

Now that you have a basic idea regarding what cancer is, its origin, and its spread, it is important to know certain specific questions that you need to ask your oncologist. This will not only help you to understand the state of your body but also the treatment regimen that your doctor has decided for you and how it will affect your body. Remember that the treatment will work best if you understand it and have absolutely no doubt regarding it.

Question 1: What can be the possible cause of cancer? Are there any alternative and/or advanced investigations that I can do to confirm the diagnosis?

Finding out that you have cancer is scary and it is absolutely okay wanting to be double sure before proceeding with any treatment. You need to ask your doctor about getting a second opinion or some other advanced tests that can help consolidate the diagnosis. You also need to ask the doctor what the possible cause of the cancer is so that it can be managed. The kind of disease that cancer is, focussing merely on curing it will not be sufficient until you curb the very cause of cancer in the first place. The cause can range anywhere from smoking to your genetics, hence addressing it is of utmost importance.If your oncologist is informed about the holistic approach to curing cancer, they will try to find out the root cause of the disease and ask you to make many lifestyle and dietary changes that will not only augment the efficacy of the treatment but also cure the disease in an integrated and holistic manner.

Question 2: What type of cancer do I have and what stage is it in?

Cancers are of different types based on their location, histology, and many such factors. Knowing the type is important as it dictates the method of treatment you will receive. Similarly, you also need to know what stage cancer has reached as it is also a very crucial factor in deciding what treatment regimen you will be prescribed. Staging also helps you understand the possible outcomes of the treatment and hence prepares you for the future.

Question 3: Can I take some time off before the treatment to prepare myself?

As said earlier, getting diagnosed with cancer can be devastating and overwhelming. It is quite natural to want to take some time off to muster courage and prepare yourself to proceed with the treatment. However, you need to ask your oncologist before taking time off because certain cancers need emergency intervention. So getting an expert opinion before making any decision is a must.

Question 4: What are my treatment options and why are you recommending a specific therapy?

Currently, there are many treatment methods available for cancer. These include systemic therapy with drugs (like chemotherapy or immunotherapy), surgery, and radiotherapy. Your oncologist is supposed to tell you about the pros and cons of all the different treatment options and then recommend a specific therapy based on the type of your cancer, its stage, its location, and prognosis. However, remember that your oncologist can only recommend treatment to you. But at the end of the day, what treatment method you opt for is your choice to make.

Question 5: What can I expect from the treatment and how will I feel during the therapy?

By understanding the goal of the treatment, you can make realistic expectations regarding the outcome of the therapy. In general, treatment is of 3 types – primary, adjuvant, and palliative.

1.Primary treatment aims at clearing your body off all cancerous cells and curing the condition. It is generally given during the early stages of cancer when the chances of a complete cure are very high.

2.Adjuvant therapy is given as a supplement after primary treatment is over to get rid of cells that might have remained after the primary treatment.

3.Palliative care is the management of signs and symptoms of the disease and does not necessarily cure the condition. It is generally given in terminal stages when the prognosis is poor.

At the same time, you also need to know how the treatment will affect your body physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is necessary to know how you might feel during the treatment before hand so that you can prepare yourself accordingly.

Question 6: What can be the possible side effects and how can I manage them?

All the treatment options available for cancer have some side effects.It is important to know what are the possible side effects of the treatment that you will receive and how to manage them so that it doesnt all come at you by surprise. Knowing about the possible side effects can help you manage, and even prevent them or learn to adapt your lifestyle according to them

Question 7: Can I integrate any alternative approaches and therapies to counter the possible side effects?

Often the side effects of cancer therapy are many and difficult to cope with. Hence, you need to ask your oncologist if you can take the help of other healthcare professionals like nutritionists, speech therapists, and Yoga and Ayurveda experts, to assist you in managing the side effects. Remember not to take any medication or alternative therapy without asking your oncologist as it might affect the course of your actual treatment.

Question 8: Will I need any specific type of diet or nutritional supplementation during the treatment?

Knowing what kind of diet to take during the treatment is necessary. Cancer therapy brings about a lot of changes in the body. The requirement for certain micro and macronutrients might increase and hence you must know what to eat and what not to and whether you need to take any supplementation or not.

Question 9: What will be the approximate cost of the entire treatment?

While in western countries most of the cost is borne by medical insurance companies, here in India the majority of the population doesnt have any such insurance. Hence, knowing the approximate cost of the treatment is necessary so that you can keep a check on your finances.

Question 10: What are the chances of successful treatment and will there be a relapse?

It is important to understand that no cancer therapy is 100% successful. The success of a therapy depends on many factors. Hence, knowing your chances of successful treatment can help you prepare yourself for the future. At the same time, it is important to know about the chances of a relapse and how to prevent it from happening, so that you can plan your life accordingly.

Asking these questions will give you a fair idea about how the course of your treatment will be. However, note that the above list of questions is not exhaustive – you can and should always ask whatever doubts and concerns you might have. Always remember that good communication between the oncologist and the patient is the key to successful treatment.