Visiting an oncologist can be a tense experience. For one, it is an indicator that one has cancer or is about to undergo diagnostic evaluation for the disease. Secondly, one can never be sure about anything when they have a tumor in their body. Therefore, people ask “incorrect” questions when they visit an oncologist, especially during first meetings. To help readers out, here are some questions to ask an oncologist during a visit:

Where and when do you recommend getting a second opinion?
Asking this question would not be a slight on the healthcare professional who has provided the initial opinion. Getting a second opinion is generally a patient’s way of hearing something positive or alternative in case the first oncologist comes up with a scary diagnosis for them. If they are diagnosed with cancer of any kind, patients need to make sure that the diagnosis is accurate. Getting multiple opinions also helps individuals explore all treatment and prescription-related options on their hands.

While patients are often apprehensive before asking this question, healthcare experts understand when they are asked this. Even the most experienced oncologist knows the prominence of a second pathology review. This happens because doctors, even the most seasoned ones, do not know everything about every condition.

Therefore, if a person is diagnosed with cancer, they must ask this question to their oncologist. In return, they will get names and references of experienced oncologists who can resolve all their queries and doubts.

What is the goal of my treatment?
As is well-known, tumors can exist in someone’s body in several forms and stages. Doctors recommend treatments to counter the specific threat of certain stages of cancer. Unsurprisingly, patients will be nervous about undergoing treatments as their bodies (and, by extension, chances of survival) are hinged on them.

This is why it is critical for them to know what they will be getting out of their treatment. It includes knowing all the risks and benefits associated with every treatment avenue. Patients undergoing treatment will not be willing to put up with the side effects of a given treatment if their cancer is not treated completely. However, if a specific treatment destroys the problematic tumor and drastically cuts down the chances of metastasis as well, then individuals with cancer will be much more willing to undergo the procedure.

Above everything else, knowing the end objective of a treatment relaxes individuals to a great degree too.

How will I feel during this treatment?
This is another treatment-related question one should not be apologetic about asking their oncologist. When someone is undergoing cancer-based treatment for the first time, they will naturally be apprehensive about how they will feel during the procedure. Will the process be painful? How long will a given operation last? Will a given treatment be done in one go, or will it need multiple visits? How a person will feel mentally, emotionally, and physically during treatment is vital for people undergoing it to know. Knowing the answer to these questions helps people prepare for the procedure mentally and physically. They can make appropriate arrangements in their work and personal life by knowing the answer to this query.

How much experience do you have treating this cancer?
This question needs to be asked while a person with cancer is weighing up all their options and alternating between various oncologists who can successfully treat them for cancer. Ideally, the first treatment should successfully treat the condition as much as possible. This is why people should not settle for the first oncologist they come across for their treatment. One needs to undergo treatment at the hands of a specialist with extensive experience treating the specific kind of cancer they have.

What type of cancer do I have, and what stage is it?
This is perhaps the most dreaded question one can ask their oncologist when the latter detect malignancy in their body. Nevertheless, one needs to steel themselves to put forth this question. The healthcare expert will provide a clear answer to this question regarding their client’s cancer and how advanced it is. Also, one can revisit their health history while receiving the answer to this question. Doctors generally want to know about symptoms, previous cancer history, and other issues to tell the patient about the path to be taken ahead.