Questions for your team

After your diagnosis you’re likely to have a lot of questions. If you’re unsure of anything regarding your cancer or treatment, always ask your treating team. Your team will understand your specific diagnosis better than your family and friends or anyone on the internet, so you can be sure you’ll be getting the right information.

Helpful tips

Make a list. Well before your appointment, think about what you want to know, and write down a list of questions so you don’t forget anything. You can also browse the questions below to get you thinking about what you might want to know.

Take a support person. Is there someone who could come to your appointments with you? They can support you, and even act as notetaker to help you remember and understand what has been discussed.

Keep a record. Take a pen and paper to all appointments – or you could try using the CanRecall app to record answers. Always be sure to ask permission if you plan to make an audio recording during an appointment.

Ask for notes. If you think it would be helpful, you can also ask your doctor to give you diagrams, or to write down the names of medications or terms you’re not familiar with.

Questions

Before your appointment, think about what you would like to know. Here is a list of questions to get you started. We have not provided answers, as everyone's situation is different. Your treating team is best placed to answer these questions for you.

Remember that not all of the questions will relate to you. You might want answers to some of these questions now, while some may become more important later on.

• What type of cervical cancer do I have?
• Exactly where is my cancer, and how big is it?
• Has it spread to any other parts of my body?
• What treatment do you recommend?
• When should I start treatment?
• Where will I have treatment? Will I need to stay in hospital?
• When am I likely to be finished treatment?
• How long will I take to recover?
• How much will my treatment cost?
• How can I prepare for treatment?
• What are the side effects or risks of this treatment?
• Will I still be able to get pregnant? What are my options now?
• Will I need to take time off work while I’m having treatment?
• What should I tell my employer?
• Will I be able to look after my children during treatment?
• Will I be OK to live alone during treatment?
• Could my cancer be genetic?
• How might treatment affect my sex life, now and in the future?
• Can I speak to someone who has been through a similar experience?