10 Valid Questions to ask your Doctor

[SteveH]

1.
Is my prostate cancer localized, at an early stage, or is it more
advanced and spread to other areas of my body (metastasized)? What
evidence do you have for this conclusion?

2.
How long do you think I’ve had this cancer and how slowly or quickly is
my tumor growing, based on my previous PSA exams or biopsies?

3.
Is my prostate cancer treatable or not? What type of treatments should I
consider (pros and cons of each)? What are the side effects of each
treatment option, in terms of quality-of-life issues like incontinence,
erectile dysfunction (E.D.), burning when going to the restroom, etc.?

4.
What treatment would you choose if you were in my shoes, assuming
you were the same age and general health?

5.
Do you have any suggestions regarding how I should prepare for the
treatment you have in mind so I can face it calmly? Is there much pain
following the treatment you recommend, and what’s the best way to
cope with that pain? Typically, how long does recovery take and what
are the odds of my cancer recurring after I recover?

6.
How long will I be “out of commission” due to time needed for
recuperation, in view of treatment effects like pain or fatigue or
incontinence or impotence (erectile dysfunction)? In turn, how long will it
most likely take for me to get back to my normal routines and social
activities? How soon can I resume sexual intimacy and what will I need
to make this happen?

7.
Before I decide if I want to ask you to be in charge of my medical
procedure (radiation, surgery, etc.) could you tell me which treatment
approaches you personally feel qualified to offer? How many patients
have you treated using this approach/these approaches during the past
couple of years? Could you give me the name of some recent patients
I can talk with about the treatment option you recommended for me and
how it might have helped them? Note: If your doctor has done fewer
than 100 cases in the past two years, you may want to see another
doctor. Others would say if the doctor has performed less than 150-250
such techniques in his or her career, go elsewhere.

8.
What literature, books or websites should I look at to better understand
my condition? Can you tell me where to go for further support, including
formal groups or knowledgeable survivors willing to respond to my
various concerns?

9.
Do you mind if I get a second opinion from another urologist? Who
would you suggest?

10.
As I begin healing from my treatment, can I count on your spending
another half hour or more with me to talk about other concerns that
might arise? In the meantime, can I reach you by e-mail if something
urgent comes up?