1st visit with oncologist tomorrow -- questions I should ask?

SherryAF
SherryAF Member Posts: 31
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had surgery on 11/18/09 (lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy); lymph nodes were negative, but did not get clear margins around the tumor, so surgeon wants to do re-excision/lumpectomy; I have tentatively scheduled this for 12/16.

Path report shows Stage 1B, intermediate grade. My mom has had BC and my maternal grandmother has had it 2 times. Both are still alive. I am 48 years old.

My husband and I will be going to oncologist tomorrow. I have a list of questions, mainly abour chances of recurrences, mastectomay v. another lumpectomy.

Any other questions I should ask? Thanks!

Comments

  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #2
    Useful questions?
    Sherry, I found these questions to be important ones. I am sure there are many more that are not listed here. I know its hard to think of everything. I kept a small note pad in my purse to jot down questions and the answers to them. I also have kept a "cancer journal" which was helpful to me. Good luck to you!

    Is my breast cancer hormone receptor positive?

    What tests will you perform?

    Do you recommend that I have genetic testing?


    Should I participate in a clinical trial? Why or why not?


    What types of additional support are available to me during and after treatment?


    Can you suggest additional resources that may be helpful?
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #3
    elm3544 said:

    Useful questions?
    Sherry, I found these questions to be important ones. I am sure there are many more that are not listed here. I know its hard to think of everything. I kept a small note pad in my purse to jot down questions and the answers to them. I also have kept a "cancer journal" which was helpful to me. Good luck to you!

    Is my breast cancer hormone receptor positive?

    What tests will you perform?

    Do you recommend that I have genetic testing?


    Should I participate in a clinical trial? Why or why not?


    What types of additional support are available to me during and after treatment?


    Can you suggest additional resources that may be helpful?

    so how did your oncologist answer
    elm, those are great questions. I just wonder what your onc said to you. I didn't ask any of those because I was petrified. But now I'm bringing them with me tomorrow for my chemo and asking to see the onc.
    Thanks,
    Lorraine
  • SherryAF
    SherryAF Member Posts: 31
    #4
    Mama G said:

    so how did your oncologist answer
    elm, those are great questions. I just wonder what your onc said to you. I didn't ask any of those because I was petrified. But now I'm bringing them with me tomorrow for my chemo and asking to see the onc.
    Thanks,
    Lorraine

    Thanks!
    I added those
    Thanks!

    I added those questions to my list.
  • crselby
    crselby Member Posts: 441
    #5
    SherryAF said:

    Thanks!
    I added those
    Thanks!

    I added those questions to my list.

    questions
    Dear Sherry,
    Here are some I got off the internet that I asked.
    Questions to Ask the Medical Oncologist
    1. Why are you recommending this therapy? What is the goal?
    2. What are the risks?
    3. Are there other ways to treat the cancer?
    4. Where do I go for chemotherapy or hormone therapy?
    5. Will I be able to drive myself home after treatment, or do I need help?
    6. How long does the treatment last?
    7. What are the risks and side effects?
    8. Will my hair fall out? Will it grow back?
    9. What about premature menopause and infertility?
    10. What should I avoid during treatment?
    11. Should I change my diet or lifestyle?
    12. What is the risk of my breast cancer coming back (recurrence) if I do local therapy (surgery, radiation) alone?
    13. How much can hormonal therapy lower my risk of the cancer coming back? (recurrence can be in the breast or in other organs)
    14. What is /are the best hormone therapy medications for me?
    15. What are the risks and side effects of those medicines? Temporary, short term, long term….
    16. Does the benefit outweigh the risk?
    17. What are the risks of not having the treatment?
    18. Will the treatment hurt or be uncomfortable? If so, how can I prevent or lessen the discomfort or improve the outcome?
    19. Where can I read about the latest medical studies on treatment and cures of cancer?
    20. How long will the treatment take?
    21. How often will I take this treatment?
    22. Will the treatment affect me emotionally or sexually?
    23. How can I get copies of the pathology report or other tests to take to another doctor for a second opinion?
    Connie
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #6
    crselby said:

    questions
    Dear Sherry,
    Here are some I got off the internet that I asked.
    Questions to Ask the Medical Oncologist
    1. Why are you recommending this therapy? What is the goal?
    2. What are the risks?
    3. Are there other ways to treat the cancer?
    4. Where do I go for chemotherapy or hormone therapy?
    5. Will I be able to drive myself home after treatment, or do I need help?
    6. How long does the treatment last?
    7. What are the risks and side effects?
    8. Will my hair fall out? Will it grow back?
    9. What about premature menopause and infertility?
    10. What should I avoid during treatment?
    11. Should I change my diet or lifestyle?
    12. What is the risk of my breast cancer coming back (recurrence) if I do local therapy (surgery, radiation) alone?
    13. How much can hormonal therapy lower my risk of the cancer coming back? (recurrence can be in the breast or in other organs)
    14. What is /are the best hormone therapy medications for me?
    15. What are the risks and side effects of those medicines? Temporary, short term, long term….
    16. Does the benefit outweigh the risk?
    17. What are the risks of not having the treatment?
    18. Will the treatment hurt or be uncomfortable? If so, how can I prevent or lessen the discomfort or improve the outcome?
    19. Where can I read about the latest medical studies on treatment and cures of cancer?
    20. How long will the treatment take?
    21. How often will I take this treatment?
    22. Will the treatment affect me emotionally or sexually?
    23. How can I get copies of the pathology report or other tests to take to another doctor for a second opinion?
    Connie

    This site has a section with
    This site has a section with questions for you to ask your oncologist and also the Susan B. Komen site has a list of questions that you might want to use. Also, all of the above postings are very good. Good luck!
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #7
    Mama G said:

    so how did your oncologist answer
    elm, those are great questions. I just wonder what your onc said to you. I didn't ask any of those because I was petrified. But now I'm bringing them with me tomorrow for my chemo and asking to see the onc.
    Thanks,
    Lorraine

    Lorraine
    I didn't know what to ask but most of these questions were answered for me without my asking. I thought these were important ones. The only one that was never brought up was whether I should participate in any trials or studies. I never thought of it at the time but after reading so many posts here and watching the movie Living Proof, I think its a great question to ask. I am glad this list will be helpful to you.
  • Lynda53
    Lynda53 Member Posts: 210
    #8
    Bring paper and pen and someone
    Lots of information will be given I found it most helpfl to have someone with me as well as them writing down the responses and other info.
    Best wishes
    Peace

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