Diagnosed with Lung Cancer - Questions to Ask your Doctor

Almost every adult has heard about lung cancer at least once in their lifetime. But more often than not, it becomes 'real' only after it strikes closer home and a loved one or 'you' has been diagnosed with lung cancer. However, diagnosis is the beginning of a period of hospital visits, treatment and results. The fight with cancer may seem very daunting, but it becomes a little bearable when you are not groping in the dark and you know what to expect when diagnosed with this type of cancer. The one thing you must have, more than the best doctors, treatments or loads of money, is hope. You need to have the will to live and a desire to fight against this cancer. So, without wasting any more time, fix a session with your doctor to ask him/her the most important questions on this type of cancer.

Questions to Ask your Doctor about Lung Cancer
To help you in this fight, given below are a few questions to ask your doctor about this medical condition. Some of them might seem very harsh, but you have to face them to be able to fight effectively. You may talk/ask queries to your doctor about:

✔ Lung Cancer ✔ Treatment ✔ Types of Treatment ✔ Health Care Team ✔ Patient Involvement ✔ Finances ✔ Resources and Support Staff ✔ Follow-up Procedure ✔ Post Treatment

Questions about Lung Cancer

What type of cancer do you have? What stage of cancer are you in? What does it imply? What is the size of the tumor? Where is it? What can you say about the prognosis (survival expectancy)? What are the factors influencing the progress of this cancer? How common is this type and stage of cancer? What are the chances of cure and recovery after any treatment? Top

Questions about the Treatment

Effects of Lung Cancer Treatment What is the purpose of this treatment? (cure or containment?) How will the chosen treatment work? What are the side effects of this treatment (short-term and long-term)? What are the risk factors involved? What is the success rate of this treatment? How will it affect my daily routine? Duration and Success of Lung Cancer Treatment How long will the treatment last? Do I need to be hospitalized? If yes, for how long? In case of therapy (radiation, chemotherapy and targeted), is it okay if I skip sessions? What is the ideal recovery time for this treatment? Top

Questions on the Types of Treatment Available

Lung Cancer Treatment Queries What are the kinds of lung cancer treatment available? What are the pros and cons of treating this type of cancer? What kind of treatment will be used for me? Why not any other treatment? Will the treatment chosen be given in combination with another? What medications will I have to take before, during and after the treatment? What kind of activities can I do during radiation therapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapy? Are there any alternative treatments available? Lung Cancer Surgery (Segmental Resection or Wedge Resection, Pneumonectomy, Lobectomy) What type of surgery will be performed on me? Why? Will a portion of my lungs or lymph nodes be removed? How much? Will I have breathing problems because of surgery? What effect will this surgery have on my bodily functions? How complicated is the surgical procedure? Will the surgery leave any permanent scars? Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer (Systemic Radiation Therapy, Internal Radiation or Brachytherapy, External Beam Radiation) What type of radiation therapy will I be given? How does radiation therapy work? How does radiation therapy feel? How often will I have to undergo radiation therapy? How much time will each radiation therapy session take? Will radiation therapy harm my body? How much? Is there anything that can be done to reduce the side effects of radiation therapy? What effect will radiation therapy have on my sex drive and fertility? Will I be able to go home after a radiation therapy session? Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer What drugs will I be exposed to? What will be the frequency and duration of the therapy sessions? Where will I have to go for the therapy sessions? How will chemotherapy or targeted therapy benefit me? How will the chemotherapy or targeted therapy feel? Can I undergo chemotherapy at home? Will I need help while returning from the therapy session? Lung Cancer Clinical Trials (Experimental Treatments) What are the clinical trials available? Which of these will suit my condition best? Do I have to take any more tests? Do clinical trials cost less? Are experimental treatments very risky? How do I know that a clinical trial is authentic? Where will I have to go for the clinical trial treatments? Do I have to make any commitment for this treatment? How much time will I have to give for clinical trial? What will the clinical trial entail? Top

Questions about the Health Care Team

(Medical Oncologist, Pulmonologist, Radiation Oncologist, Thoracic Surgeon, etc.) Who will be there in the team of doctors treating me? How much experience do they have? How many successful treatments have they given before? Who will be my point of contact during the treatment? Where and how often can I contact the doctors involved in my treatment? Who will explain the treatment procedure and its effects? Who will monitor the progress and treatment? Top

Questions on Patient Involvement in the Treatment

Whom should I ask for assistance to understand the lab reports? Can I take dietary supplements or alternative medicines? How much control do I have over the treatment? What should I do and what should I avoid doing? What effect will it have on my daily life? Top

Questions on Cost of Lung Cancer Treatment

How much will the treatment cost? How much will the medications cost? What are the hospital charges? What are the consultation fees of the doctors who are in charge of my treatment? Will my health insurance be accepted? (Name it.) Do I have to pay all the expenses at one time? Can I receive assistance if I am unable, or find it difficult, to bear the expenses of the treatment? Top

Questions on Resources and Support Group

Will I be able to discuss my fears, hopes and meet others suffering with this condition? What assistance and support is available for my loved ones? From where can I get more information about my diagnosis? In case anything happens to me, is there any help available for my loved ones? Top

Questions on Follow-up/Reexamination following Treatment

What kind of pain relief medication can I take without consulting the oncologist? How often do I come for a checkup? Do you have options for transitional care, if I need it? What can I do to aid in recovery from the treatment? How much time do I need to wait before resuming my daily routine? Top

Post Treatment Questions

For what symptoms should I contact the oncologist immediately? How will I know that the treatment has been effective? Is there any medication or other requirements I need to follow? How long will the side effects of the treatment last? How can I reduce the side effects of the treatment? What are the chances of cancer recurring after treatment? If the treatment fails, what are my options? Top

There will be times during the treatment when you find yourself wondering if so much struggle is worth it. The answer to this question is plain and simple: yes you are worth it. Even if you think you are alone or that you are just being a burden to your loved ones, know that a good fight is better than an easy win. The most important thing to remember is that the diagnosis is a part of your life, NOT the whole of it. Don't give up, whatever happens you will have lived to the fullest and for the times you feel like giving up, here are some golden words from the Bible just for you:

"A man's spirit can sustain his broken body, but when spirit dies, what hope is left?" ~ Proverbs 18:14