Information Center
What to Ask Your Doctor?
The cancer diagnosis process can provoke anxiety and concerns about future treatments, leading to a sense of losing control. These are natural stages in coping with the illness, where both you and your close surroundings need support.
Many women feel discomfort, confusion, or lack of confidence when meeting with a doctor, especially when it involves our intimate organs. In this case, like many others, knowledge is power. The questions below aim to guide you in your interactions with your doctors to help you gain knowledge and empower yourself.
Do not hesitate to ask questions.
Feel free to inquire about the diagnosis process, the treatment plan, challenge your doctors, research on your own, or seek a second opinion.
The path to making difficult decisions about your health starts here – with learning and gathering information.
General Recommendations
- Download the explanation sheet and bring it to your appointment. Ask your doctor to highlight the points relevant to you during the discussion.
- Prepare yourself as much as possible by gathering medical information about your condition and writing down any questions you want to ask in advance.
- It's always helpful to bring someone with you and to take notes of important points and answers.
- Sometimes, these meetings can be overwhelming, and it's easy to forget details afterward. Don't hesitate to ask if you can record the conversation to listen to it later.
- Prepare and write down your questions before the appointment.
- Don't be afraid to stop and ask for clarification on any words or medical terms you do not understand.
- Ask clearly about your doctor's specialization: Are they a gynecologist, gynecologic oncologist, oncologist, or surgeon? Ask if you should consult with doctors from other disciplines?
- Before making a final decision on a treatment plan, it is advisable to seek a second opinion. If you meet with a gynecologic oncologist or surgeon and are recommended surgery, consult with an oncologist as well.
- Make sure to share the summaries of your hospital visits with your community clinic. Meet regularly with your family doctor (e.g., once a month) to update them on your progress. Your family doctor will continue to support you even after recovery.
- It is important to actively participate in the decision-making process regarding the treatments you will undergo.
Examples of Questions Diagnostic Tests
- Which test did I undergo?
- If only one of the tests was performed, why?
- Can I also have the other test done?
- If you still have menstrual periods, ask: On which days between cycles is it recommended to perform the test?
- How long will it take to receive the results, and who will receive them?
- What does each test indicate?
- Will I also need to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound?
- What should I do if the results indicate a problem?
- If everything is normal, when should I schedule the next appointment? Make sure to schedule the appointment.
- A biopsy is sometimes taken during a colposcopy. Ask your doctor if you should take pain relief medication beforehand to prevent severe pain.
- If you still have menstrual periods, ask if it affects the test.
- What is the procedure for the test?
- What can be seen during the test?
- Under what circumstances will a biopsy be taken?ֿ
- How long will it take to receive the results? Insist on receiving a copy of the biopsy results.
- What is the purpose of the conization? Is it therapeutic or diagnostic?
- Will the conization be performed under general or local anesthesia? Where will it be done, and how long is the procedure expected to take?
- How long will it take to receive the results, and who will receive them?
- When should I come in for follow-up?
- Make sure to schedule a follow-up appointment approximately two weeks after the procedure. Even if the results are not yet available, it’s important to check that the area is healing properly.
- In what cases should I come in for an earlier check-up?
- What should I expect after the procedure?
- Are there any special instructions for when I return home?
Various tests can suggest the presence of endometrial cancer, but only a biopsy provides a definitive diagnosis.
A biopsy involves taking a sample of cells or tissue from the lining of the uterus.
Before the test, the doctor will widen the vagina using a speculum.
A thin tube will then be inserted through the vagina and cervix into the uterus.
The doctor will use the tube to aspirate tissue from the lining of the uterus.
During the procedure, you may feel cramps similar to menstrual cramps, but this sensation usually subsides within a few minutes.
After the test, you may experience light bleeding or discomfort.
This procedure allows examination of the uterine lining and cell sampling for biopsy. Diagnostic hysteroscopy is performed without anesthesia, while surgical hysteroscopy is usually done under general anesthesia.
- Consult with your doctor about which approach is right for you.
- Ask about the recovery process.
- When should I expect the results?
- If a cancerous tumor is found, what additional tests will I need?
- Does my type of cancer have specific markers detectable in blood tests?
- Should I undergo a PET CT or PET MRI?
- How reliable is this test?
- How soon will I receive the interpretation of the results?
- Where will the results be sent?ֿ
- Will my case be discussed in a team meeting?
It is essential to consult both a gynecologic oncologist and an oncologist before starting treatment.
- What was the result of the PET-CT scan?
- What stage (stage) am I in, and what does it mean?
- What is the tumor type (histology), and how fast is it growing (grading)?
- Can I get an explanation of the tumor size, its proximity to vital organs, and the implications?
- What is the treatment plan for my case?
- Radiation, chemotherapy, brachytherapy, immunotherapy?
- Will all treatments be provided in one location, or will they be combined with another hospital? What is the best option for me?
- What are the alternative treatments?
Examples of Questions
After Diagnosis
- Should I have surgery? Why?
- What type of surgery is recommended for me and why?
- In my case, is laparoscopic surgery an option?
- If not, what are the reasons it is not feasible?
- What is the expected course of the surgery?
- What scars should I expect, and where will they be located?
- Will lymph nodes in the groin area also be removed during the surgery? Why are these lymph nodes removed, and what complications may arise from such a procedure?
- How urgent is the surgery, and how much time do I have to seek a second opinion?
- What tests should be performed on the tumor sample during and after the surgery?
- What side effects should I expect after the surgery?
- Do I need to prepare with any special dressings?
- How will I feel after the surgery, and how soon can I return to my normal life?
- What precautions should I take after the surgery?
- When is it recommended to begin physical therapy?
- When is the routine follow-up scheduled after the surgery?
- In what situations should I seek immediate medical attention or advance my follow-up appointment?
- After the surgery, who will be responsible for my routine follow-up care, and how often should I come for check-ups?
- When and how will I receive the pathology results from the surgery?
- What is the chemotherapy treatment plan?
- What types of chemotherapy are available, and which is recommended for me?
- What are the short-term and long-term risks of chemotherapy?
- Are there any irreversible effects of the treatment?
- What are the side effects of the chemotherapy I will receive, and how long might they last?
- Which side effects should I report to the medical team immediately?
- What medications or methods can help alleviate the side effects?
- Will the chemotherapy cause hair loss?
- When should chemotherapy begin, and how and where will the treatment be administered?
- How long does each treatment session last?
- How many treatment sessions will I need?
- Will I be able to maintain my daily routine (work, diet, exercise, sexual activity, etc.)?
- Are there any activities I should avoid or be cautious about?
- Is a special diet recommended during the treatment?
- Is it safe to take additional medications during chemotherapy?
- What is radiation therapy, and why do I need this treatment?
- How long will each series of treatments last?
- What is the radiation dose I will receive, and is it the maximum dose?
- Where will I receive the treatment?
- Will I receive brachytherapy?
- How many brachytherapy sessions will I have?
- Who will manage my treatment plan and the follow-up?
- Should I come alone or should I be accompanied?
- What are the side effects of the treatment?
- Are there any risks associated with this treatment?
- What should I avoid during the treatment?
- How can I protect the skin in the treated area?
- Will I be able to continue my normal activities (work, diet, exercise, sexual activity, etc.)?
- How often will I need follow-up visits after completing the treatment?
- Will I need physical therapy after the treatment?
- Why is this treatment being recommended for me?
- What type of treatment am I supposed to receive?
- How will the treatment be administered, and how often?
- What is the goal of the treatment?
- What are the short-term side effects?ֿ
- What are the long-term side effects?ֿ
- Which side effects should I report to the medical team immediately?
- Will I receive other treatments in addition to this one? If so, which ones and when?
- What are the alternative treatment options?
- Should I change anything in my daily routine during the treatment?
- Are there specific things I should avoid or be cautious about during the treatment?ֿ
- What will my follow-up routine look like?
- Should I undergo genomic sequencing and/or sensitivity testing for oncological treatments?
Diagnostic Sheets
For Download and Use
We make every effort to provide evidence-based and reliable health information. We invest significant time and resources to ensure the information on our website is as accurate and up-to-date as possible, supported by scientific sources and aligned with current professional knowledge in relevant fields. However, the information in this website does not constitute medical advice or recommendations. We encourage anyone seeking personalized advice or recommendations on medical matters to consult directly with a licensed physician or a certified healthcare professional in the relevant field.
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