5 Questions Every Cancer Patient Should Ask Their Oncologist (And Why They Matter)
Last Updated: February 2025 | Medically Reviewed
When you're diagnosed with cancer, you'll face more medical decisions in a few weeks than most people make in a lifetime. The difference between good and excellent cancer care often comes down to one thing: asking the right questions.
This guide provides the essential questions every cancer patient should ask, and explains why each answer matters for your care.
Before We Start: How to Have Effective Conversations with Your Oncologist
Preparation Tips:
✓ Write questions down before your appointment
✓ Bring someone with you to take notes (two sets of ears are better than one)
✓ Record the conversation (with permission, most doctors are fine with this)
✓ Request copies of all test results and reports
✓ Don't apologize for asking questions, it's your life
Question 1: "What is my exact diagnosis, including the type, stage, and grade of cancer?"
Why This Matters:
Your treatment plan depends entirely on your specific cancer characteristics. "Breast cancer" isn't enough, you need details:
Cancer Type Examples:
Breast cancer: Invasive ductal carcinoma vs. invasive lobular carcinoma vs. inflammatory breast cancer
Lung cancer: Adenocarcinoma vs. squamous cell vs. small cell
Lymphoma: Hodgkin vs. non-Hodgkin, and dozens of subtypes
Stage (0-IV):
Tells you how far cancer has spread
Drives treatment decisions
Stage 3 colon cancer and stage 4 colon cancer have very different treatments
Grade (1-3 or 4):
How abnormal the cancer cells look under microscope
Higher grade = more aggressive growth typically
Affects prognosis and treatment intensity
What to Ask for:
✓ "Can you write down the complete pathology diagnosis?"
✓ "What does this stage mean in practical terms?"
✓ "Is there any uncertainty in the diagnosis that requires additional testing?"
Red Flag:
If your doctor seems vague about your exact diagnosis or stage, this is a sign you may need a second opinion or additional testing.
Question 2: "What are ALL my treatment options, including the option of doing nothing?"
Why This Matters:
Oncologists sometimes present one recommended treatment without discussing alternatives. You deserve to know:
Standard treatments (chemotherapy, surgery, radiation)
Targeted therapies (if your cancer has specific markers)
Immunotherapy (if your cancer type responds)
Clinical trials (experimental treatments)
Active surveillance (watching and waiting)
No treatment (if treatment risks outweigh benefits)
Important: For many cancers, there are multiple equally effective options. Your oncologist's recommendation may be based on their specialty or institutional preference, not necessarily what's uniquely best for you.
Question 3: "What genetic testing or biomarker testing should be done on my tumor?"
Why This Matters:
Modern cancer treatment is increasingly personalized based on your tumor's genetic profile. Testing should happen BEFORE starting treatment when possible.
Critical Tests by Cancer Type:
Breast Cancer:
ER/PR/HER2 status (determines hormone therapy and targeted therapy)
Oncotype DX or similar (helps decide if chemotherapy is needed)
BRCA1/2 testing (patient and tumor)
Lung Cancer:
EGFR mutations
ALK rearrangements
ROS1 rearrangements
PD-L1 expression
Comprehensive genomic profiling
Colon Cancer:
MSI/MMR status (determines immunotherapy eligibility)
RAS mutations (determines biologic therapy options)
BRAF mutations
HER2 amplification
All Advanced Cancers:
Consider comprehensive genomic profiling (tests hundreds of genes at once)
Platforms: Foundation Medicine, Guardant360, Tempus, Caris
What to Ask:
✓ "Has my tumor been tested for all relevant biomarkers?"
✓ "Should we do comprehensive genomic profiling?"
✓ "Will these test results change my treatment options?"
✓ "How long will testing take, and can I start treatment while waiting?"
Warning:
Starting treatment before complete testing is sometimes necessary (fast-growing cancers), but often patients begin chemotherapy before knowing they might benefit from targeted therapy or immunotherapy with fewer side effects.
Question 4: "What does success look like, and how will we measure it?"
Why This Matters:
Different treatments have different goals:
Curative Intent:
Goal: Eliminate all cancer
Measurement: No evidence of disease (NED) on scans, normal tumor markers
Example: Surgery for early-stage colon cancer
Life Extension:
Goal: Shrink or control cancer, extend survival
Measurement: Progression-free survival, overall survival
Example: Chemotherapy for metastatic cancer
Palliative/Symptom Control:
Goal: Improve quality of life, manage symptoms
Measurement: Pain levels, functional status, symptom burden
Example: Radiation for bone metastases causing pain
Active Surveillance:
Goal: Avoid treatment side effects unless cancer progresses
Measurement: Stable disease on monitoring
Example: Watching small kidney tumors
What to Ask:
✓ "Is this treatment intended to cure my cancer or control it?"
✓ "What are the success rates for patients like me?"
✓ "How will we know if treatment is working?"
✓ "When will we do scans or other tests to check progress?"
✓ "What happens if this treatment doesn't work?"
Question 5: "What are the side effects, and how will they impact my daily life?"
Why This Matters:
Treatment side effects can range from minor inconveniences to life-altering complications. You need realistic expectations:
Questions to Ask About Side Effects:
✓ "What side effects do most patients experience?"
✓ "What are the rare but serious side effects I should watch for?"
✓ "Will this treatment affect my ability to work?"
✓ "What about sexual function, fertility, and intimacy?"
✓ "Are the side effects temporary or permanent?"
✓ "How will we manage side effects if they occur?"
✓ "What should I do if I experience [specific side effect] at 2am on a weekend?"
Side Effects Often Not Discussed (But Should Be):
Cognitive effects ("chemo brain"):
Memory problems
Difficulty concentrating
Can last months to years
Sexual and fertility effects:
Erectile dysfunction
Vaginal dryness or pain
Infertility (discuss egg/sperm banking BEFORE treatment)
Loss of libido
Appearance changes:
Hair loss (head, eyebrows, eyelashes, body hair)
Weight gain or loss
Skin changes
Scarring from surgery
Financial toxicity:
Out-of-pocket costs
Inability to work
Travel costs for treatment
Emotional impact:
Anxiety and depression (very common)
PTSD symptoms
Relationship strain
Important:
Ask for written information about side effects. You won't remember everything discussed in the appointment.
About Radical Health: We're building the world's first AI Oncologist to ensure every cancer patient receives expert-level, personalized treatment recommendations, regardless of where they live. Our AI platform analyzes over 10 million patient records and is overseen by oncologists from UCSF, MSK, UCLA, and Johns Hopkins. Learn more about AI-powered personalized report at https://radicalhealth.ai.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers about your specific diagnosis and treatment options.