A new cancer diagnosis or the need for major surgery is an overwhelming experience. Below we have outlined some key questions to ask your provider to ensure you have gotten all the information you should and to make sure you find the right care giver for you and your particular need.

Clarify your Diagnosis

Make sure your doctor has all the necessary information to confirm your diagnosis or provide a list of suspected/possible diagnoses. Do not withhold any information you may not think is important. If you are not comfortable with the doctor’s conclusions ask for clarification or if there are potential alternatives.

Ask about the Doctor’s Experience/Training

Ask your doctor about any speciality training the received in your particular disease, not all training is created equal. Inquire how often they treat similar patients and how often they perform the recommended surgery. It is important to ask how many of those cases are done at the hospital overall as well since higher volumes have been associated with improved outcomes in some studies.

Ask if there are alternatives to the recommended treatment

The doctor is likely to outline a plan based on your diagnosis and established guidelines. You should ask what the alternatives would be to the recommended plan and what impact that may have on your outcome. Doctors can often have blinders on and strict adherence to guidelines may not be the best answer for each situation.

Ask specific questions about the surgery

Ask about potential complications and how often the occur. Ask how common complications are handled and how they impact recovery. Your doctor should be able to provide you actual numbers, not just generalizations, about their own complication rates and other common questions like length of stay in the hospital and how often patients need additional care like rehab after discharge.

Ask what life will be like after surgery

Ask how long it typically takes to return to normal activities. Also ask about things like resuming a normal diet and any restrictions both immediately after surgery and in the long-term.

Questions to ask yourself after your visit

It is important to feel comfortable with the physician providing your care. Ask yourself after your visit did they seem to understand my problem completely? Did they seem interested in my questions and making sure they were all addressed? Do they seem confident in the diagnosis and ability to complete the treatment plan? Will I be able to reach them if I have further questions, concerns or medical issues? Do they know their rates of complications and data on outcomes? Are they open to a second opinion?

If you do not feel that the match is perfect you should seek a second opinion. Choosing a physician/surgeon is an important decision and a mismatch can lead to a worsened outcome.