While you may know friends or family members who have experienced cancer, it is very different when you experience cancer yourself. There’s a lot to learn and it’s easy to feel like decisions are out of your hands.
We’re sharing some ways to advocate for yourself, plus trusted resources to help you prepare for appointments, ask questions and work with your healthcare team.
1. Make a list of questions
It’s natural to have a lot of questions after a cancer diagnosis or when you’re receiving treatment. Finding the answers to your questions is important so you can make the right decisions for your care.
Before every doctor or hospital visit, write down your questions or symptoms in a notebook and take it with you. It may be helpful to leave a space after each question for the answer. Appointments can sometimes feel overwhelming but having a physical list you can refer to can help you get the most out of your time.
Feel free to ask the doctor to spell difficult or unfamiliar words, or to repeat the answer if you’re still not sure. Repeating what your healthcare team has told you but in your own words is a good way to make sure you understand it correctly.
We’ve put together some key questions to ask your healthcare team (organized by topic).
2. Learn about your cancer and treatment
Understanding more about your cancer and the different treatment options available can help you feel more in control. Some people find that learning more about their cancer helps them make informed decisions and reduces their stress. Having more information can also help you talk about any symptoms or issues with your healthcare team during treatment.
It’s also okay if you don’t want to know all the details. Some people find that information makes them feel more anxious. Tell your family, friends and healthcare team how much or how little information you want so they can support you in the way you need.
3. Take someone with you to appointments
It can be hard to speak up during an appointment, especially if you’re upset or the doctor has given you some news.
Take a family member or friend to your appointments for moral support. They can also help ask questions or record answers so you can keep track of any new information for your records.
4. Get a second opinion
While you may be comfortable with your diagnosis and treatment options, some people find that they’d like a second opinion but are unsure how to bring it up. You may find it reassuring to know that asking for a second opinion is common and most doctors are understanding and do not have a problem with it.
A second opinion can tell you that all the right tests have been done and that the test results have been read properly. Hearing what another doctor says may help you feel better and more confident about your treatment decisions.
Another reason why you might want a second opinion is that you find it hard to talk to your doctor. Or you might prefer a doctor with more experience in your cancer type or one who suggests a different treatment than your current doctor. Whatever the reason, it’s your right to ask. Learn more about getting a second opinion.
5. Let your healthcare team know how you're feeling
Your team can’t help with concerns they don’t know about. Even if you’re not sure about exactly what you need, try to start the conversation.
Let your healthcare team know about your hopes for treatment. Share your fears or concerns about treatment or side effects so they can help you. Something that seems minor could affect your treatment or something you think is serious might be very easy to deal with. The sooner you tell them of any problems, the sooner your healthcare team can help you cope with them.
No matter what you’re going through, you don’t have to deal with it alone. The Canadian Cancer Society offers trusted resources to help you work with your healthcare team and feel more confident about your care.