What should I ask my doctor after a cancer diagnosis?

NCI suggests asking what type of cancer you have, its stage and whether it has spread, whether you need more tests, which doctors you will see, and whether they can help you get another opinion.

Can I ask for a second opinion?

Yes. NCI includes asking your doctor to help you find a doctor for another opinion among its suggested questions, both after a diagnosis and before deciding on treatment.

Should I bring someone to my appointment?

It often helps. A family member or friend can take notes and remember details. NCI also lists asking whether someone should come with you to treatment sessions.

Do I need to tell my doctor about supplements?

Yes. NCI suggests asking whether any medicines or dietary supplements, such as vitamins or herbs, could change the way cancer treatment works.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Cancer: A Practical List

Appointments can be overwhelming, and it is easy to forget what you meant to ask. Writing questions down beforehand - and bringing someone with you - helps you get the information you need.

For information only - this is not medical advice. Your doctor and care team know your situation and are the right people to answer these questions.

The US National Cancer Institute (NCI) suggests thinking ahead about what you want to know and taking a list of questions to your appointments, because you will hear a lot of information. NCI also suggests using only the questions that fit your situation, adding your own and skipping any that do not apply (NCI: Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Cancer). The lists below are grouped by stage, so you can print or copy the part you need.

Before you go: practical tips

Put your most important questions first, in case time runs short.
Bring someone with you if you can. A second person can take notes, remember details and ask questions you did not think of.
Ask if you can record the conversation or have key points written down.
Bring a list of medicines and supplements you take, including vitamins and herbal products.
It is fine to ask for a simpler explanation, or for the same thing to be explained again.

If you have symptoms or are having tests

What could be causing my symptoms?
What tests do I need, and what will they tell us?
How are the tests done, and do I need to prepare for them?
When and how will I get the results, and who will explain them to me?
What should I do, or watch for, while I wait?
Who do I contact if my symptoms change or get worse?

NCI notes that test results are often posted in a patient portal before a doctor can discuss them, and that your doctor is the best person to explain what they mean for you. Our guide to how cancer is diagnosed explains common tests, and cancer warning signs covers when to see a doctor.

After a cancer diagnosis

NCI suggests these questions when you first learn about a diagnosis (NCI: Questions about Your Diagnosis):

What type of cancer do I have?
What is the stage of my cancer, and has it spread to other areas of my body?
Will I need more tests before treatment begins? Which ones?
Which types of doctors do I need to see for my treatment?
Will you help me find a doctor to give me another opinion on the best treatment plan for me?
How serious is my cancer?

Stage and grade can be confusing words. Our guide to cancer stages explained may help you follow the answers.

About treatment options

From NCI's list of questions to ask before deciding on treatment (NCI: Questions about Treatment):

What are the treatments for my type and stage of cancer?
What are the benefits and risks of each treatment?
What treatment do you recommend, and why do you think it is best for me?
When will I need to start treatment?
How will we know if the treatment is working?
Would a clinical trial (research study) be right for me?
Will I need a specialist, and can you help me get a second opinion?

For a plain-language overview of the main approaches, see types of cancer treatment.

About side effects and daily life

What are the possible side effects, and which ones should I call you about right away?
Are there any lasting side effects?
Will this treatment affect my ability to have children?
Will I be able to work, and should I plan to rest after each session?
Should a family member or friend come with me to treatment?
Do I need to tell you about the medicines and dietary supplements I take? Could any of them change how treatment works?

When treatment has finished

NCI also suggests questions for follow-up care (NCI: Questions When You Have Finished Treatment):

What kind of care should I expect after my treatment, and which doctors should I see?
What tests do I need after treatment, and how often?
What symptoms should I tell you about, and who do I call if they happen?
What long-term health issues can I expect from my cancer and its treatment?
What records should I keep about my treatment?
Is there a counsellor or a support group you can suggest?

If you are told the cancer is in remission, it is worth asking whether it is partial or complete and what that means for your type of cancer. Our guide what does remission mean in cancer? explains the terms, based on NCI definitions.

Questions about support

It is also reasonable to ask your care team about emotional support, help for family members, and practical or financial worries. See finding cancer support and resources, and if you are helping someone else, how to support someone with cancer.

There are no wrong questions. It is always okay to ask your doctor or nurse to explain again, more slowly or more simply, or to write things down for you.

Sources

Last reviewed: 21 October 2026.

Questions to ask your doctor about cancer