For newly diagnosed cancer patients, meeting their oncologist for the first time may be a daunting experience. In addition to finding out about their condition, treatment options, side effects and prognosis for survival, many patients may have questions about how cancer and therapy will impact their quality of life, relationships and personal lives.
That very first meeting may help lay the foundation for an effective treatment plan, while also setting the stage for what can prove to be an important, lasting relationship that starts with diagnosis and continues for a lifetime.
“I think the first meeting is extremely critical to a successful doctor-patient relationship, as it is the initial opportunity to establish the trust needed for both the doctor and the patient to believe this is a mutual fight against a relentless foe,” says Henry Krebs, M.D., an interventional and diagnostic radiologist and chief of radiology at City of Hope® Cancer Center Atlanta.
The goal — for doctor and patient — is to establish a relationship that fosters great communication and honest.
“Everyone in the relationship must be comfortable in relating to the other person involved in his or her care,” Dr. Krebs says. “Despite all the advances and technology, humans are still helping other humans, and we absolutely need to be able to express ourselves in an effective manner to each other.”
Recently, our online community, Cancer Fighters, which unites people fighting the disease, asked cancer patients: What key questions helped you navigate your journey that could assist someone meeting their oncologist for the first time?
This article shares a number of key takeaways from Cancer Fighters members’ responses, along with recommendations from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which may be useful for patients meeting their cancer doctor for the first time. Those include:
- Compile a list of questions ahead of time
- What are the best treatment options for my cancer?
- Will treatment impact my quality of life?
- How involved will you be in my care, during and after treatment?
- Should I seek a second opinion?
- NCI recommendations to consider
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and would like to schedule an initial appointment or seek a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.
Compile a List of Questions Ahead of Time
The first step to making the most of that first meeting begins even before the appointment: doing some research. Understanding the type of cancer you have — as well as available treatment options, survival odds and side effects — before first meeting the oncologist may help you understand your choices, what lies ahead and ways you can improve your survival odds.
Compiling a list of questions about these issues, in addition to quality-of-life concerns and anything else on your mind, is a great way to prepare for an initial meeting with a cancer specialist.
As one Cancer Fighters member said, “I educated myself first, then came with a notebook of notes, because it's a nerve-racking experience and you may forget something you need to ask.”
You might even consider doing an online search for your oncologist, to see what you can learn about his or her approach to treatment. Another Cancer Fighter member said she looked up her oncologist before their first meeting and discovered that the physician had also undergone a cancer diagnosis and treatment, which made her feel like she knew the territory well.
“My oncologist has walked the walk with her own cancer journey,” she said. “So, having read about her journey, I believed her when her first words were, ‘There is hope, and we will get through this together.’”
What Are the Best Treatment Options for My Cancer?
One of the most important questions for to ask your oncologist is about the best available treatment options for your type and stage of cancer.
It’s also critical to find out which specific treatment the oncologist recommends (and why), where to find more information about treatment options (including risks and benefits, side effects and chance of recovery), how and where treatments are given (in a hospital or clinic) and how many sessions are required.
Knowing these details can help prepare you for what lies ahead and feel more comfortable with your provider.
“The first time when I met my oncologist, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like her or not, but I asked my questions, and she answered them,” one Cancer Fighter member said. “They are there for you and get you the help you need. They do have the best doctors and nurses and staff. That’s why I love going to City of Hope and have been going there since February 2020.”
Will Treatment Impact My Quality of Life?
Asking about quality-of-life impacts you may experience during and after treatment is critical to making informed decisions about your treatment and understanding what to expect from recovery and survival.
As one Cancer Fighters member suggested, “It’s important to ask your oncologist: How will this treatment affect my quality of life?”
Another recommended focusing some questions on the impacts on everyday life during and after treatment, in addition to wellness care: “How will treatment affect my body and mind? Will I have to take long-term leave from work? What could I do naturally to help my healing?”
How Involved Will You Be in My Care, During and After Treatment?
Surviving cancer doesn’t merely involve diagnosis and treatment. Cancer survivorship is a lifelong journey — it begins with diagnosis and treatment, but it doesn’t end when scans show no more signs of disease.
Asking your doctor about his or her involvement in your care — before, during and after — is a great way to establish a long-lasting relationship with your oncologist.
As one Cancer Fighters member said, it’s important to ask about what happens not only during treatment but also after therapy ends: “How involved will you be in my care, and which support services are available?”
Should I Seek a Second Opinion?
Seeking a second opinion on cancer treatment is typically a good idea, so it’s perfectly appropriate for patients to ask their oncologist about doing so at that first doctor appointment.
As one Cancer Fighters member noted: “I reminded myself if I didn't jive with my oncologist at that first meeting, there are others and it's okay to switch. I ended up switching a few times until I found the one that didn’t cause my blood pressure to go up!”
Another said: “If you don’t like the answers your doctor is giving you, you should find someone else. My first oncologist gave me six months to live, but when I went to City of Hope, I was given hope — no pun intended! At my first meeting, we went over everything, and the confidence, strategy and the fact that they said I can beat this gave me everything I needed.”
NCI Recommendations to Consider
In addition to the questions recommended by Cancer Fighters members, the NCI has compiled a list of concerns patients may wish to raise with their doctor at their first meeting, including:
- Where can I find more information about my treatment options, including risks and benefits, side effects, chance of recovery and quality-of-life impacts?
- How will I feel after treatment, and will I need to modify my daily habits (work, childcare, eating, sleeping, exercise, etc.)?
- How will we know if the treatment is working?
- Will this treatment affect my ability to have children?
- Could any drugs or supplements I’m taking now change the way the treatment works?
- Will I need a specialist(s) for my cancer treatment?
- Would a clinical trial (research study) be right for me, and, if so, how do I find out about studies for my type and stage of cancer?
Dr. Krebs says the goal of that first meeting should not only be to address specific patient questions about your care, but also to establish a mutual understanding in three key areas.
“The patient has to believe a few essential items,” he says. “First, the patient must know their physician allows zero defects in their treatment, meaning they will insure that every appropriate test gets ordered correctly and the doctor will follow through reviewing the results in a timely manner.”
Secondly, Dr. Krebs recommends patients let their doctor know they will follow all directions and instructions, and report back on any problems or difficulties.
Finally, he suggests patients make clear what level of explanation they need to understand all aspects of their care.
“Some want a grade-school superficial description while others expect a more detailed scientific account of the diagnosis and therapeutic options. Once again, a clear request must be expressed so expectations are met.”
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and would like to schedule an initial appointment or seek a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.