5 helpful questions to ask after a cancer diagnosis

After a cancer diagnosis, it helps to talk to your cancer team about the type of cancer you have, treatment options, who will provide your treatment, available support services, and the timeline.

Key takeaways

• A cancer diagnosis is often overwhelming, but a conversation with your cancer team helps you know what to expect next.
• Your doctor can explain the type of cancer you have, what treatment options they recommend, and the overall timeline for your care.
• You should also ask about who’s on your care team and any support services available to you.

In Louisiana, thousands of people are diagnosed with cancer every year. A cancer diagnosis can be shocking and overwhelming. It’s normal to walk away from your appointment with your head spinning and full of questions. The good news is you have a team to help answer them.

After you’ve taken a moment to pause and process your diagnosis, these five questions can help you start the conversation about what’s next.

What kind of cancer do I have, and where did it start?

Your cancer is unique to you. It helps to understand the basics of your condition, so you feel more confident as you make decisions about your care.

Start by asking your doctor more about your cancer. For example, if you have breast cancer, what type do you have? Where can you find more information?

Make sure you know where your cancer started and its grade and stage. The grade of cancer, usually on a 1-4 scale, measures how abnormal the cancer cells appear compared to healthy cells. A lower grade means cancer cells look more like healthy cells and are easier to treat.

Similarly, the stage of your cancer can tell you how advanced it is. Oncologists often stage cancers on a scale from 0 to IV. A higher stage means the tumor is larger and has likely spread in your body.

What are my treatment options?

Next, ask what treatment options are available for your type of cancer and what your doctor recommends. Some of the most common cancer treatments include:

• Chemotherapy: Medication you take by mouth or IV that destroys cancer cells
• Radiation therapy: High-energy beams that target and kill cancer cells
• Surgery: A procedure to remove the cancer from your body
• Immunotherapy (targeted therapy): Using your own immune system to locate and destroy cancer cells

Your doctor might also discuss specialized procedures, including a stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant. Or, they might share available clinical trials, which give you access to the latest potential treatments for certain cancers.

As you review your treatment options, ask about potential short-term and long-term side effects and the goal of treatment. Will it cure your cancer? Shrink the tumor? Just control symptoms?

Who will be part of my cancer care team?

After a cancer diagnosis, you work with a full team of experts trained in caring for people with cancer. Confirm with your doctor who will be part of your team, and who you’ll talk to the most.

Often, your cancer doctor, also called an oncologist, leads your cancer care. They bring in other specialists as needed. For example, if you need surgery, you’ll have a surgical oncologist on your team. If you need radiation, you’ll see a radiation therapist. And if you need nutrition support, you’ll see a dietitian.

At LCMC Health, specialized cancer care navigators are your main point of contact. They help schedule appointments and coordinate care. Social workers are also available to help you receive support services, both at the hospital and in the community.

What support services are available for me and my family?

Comprehensive cancer care is so much more than treating your physical body. It’s also about helping your mental, spiritual, and emotional health. As you learn more about your cancer, ask what services are available to help you and your family, such as:

• In-depth education about your cancer and treatment
• Nutrition counseling
• Ongoing support for loved ones and family caregivers
• Pain management resources
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
• Resources to help you quit smoking
• Social workers to help you navigate the cancer journey
• Support groups (virtual and in-person)
• Financial assistance
• Transportation or lodging

What’s the timeline?

Sometimes, just knowing what to expect can ease some of your anxiety. Have your care team spell out what will happen in the next few days or weeks.

Will you need more scans? Can you get a second opinion? Do you need to schedule surgery?

Your team can also suggest what to do while you wait—whether it’s making certain lifestyle changes, preparing for chemo treatments, or thinking about your choices for future medical care (advance care planning).

Find cancer experts near you

A cancer diagnosis is a lot to take in. And cancer treatment and recovery can be a long journey. At LCMC Health, our cancer care teams are here to guide you through every step and answer any questions along the way.

Learn more about Cancer Care in New Orleans.

Related questions about cancer diagnosis

How is cancer diagnosed?

Several tools can help your doctor diagnose cancer. One of the most common diagnostic tools is high-tech imaging, including CT or PET scans, MRI, mammography, bone densitometry, X-ray, or ultrasound. Blood tests may also help, along with a biopsy, to review suspicious cells.

Is it common to seek a second opinion after a cancer diagnosis?

Yes, after a cancer diagnosis, it is common to have another doctor look at your test results and offer their recommendation. You may get a second opinion because you have a rare cancer, you think other treatment options are available, you want a specialist in your cancer type, or you need peace of mind that you have the correct diagnosis.

A second opinion can help boost your confidence in your approach to treatment.

Do cancer screenings diagnose cancer?

No, a cancer screening is not a diagnostic test. Screenings look for changes that might be early signs of cancer. If your screening shows something unusual, your provider will likely recommend other tests to get more information.

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