Preparing for Treatment

Many people with cancer want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices so they can take an active part in decisions about their medical care. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, shock and stress are natural reactions. These feelings may make it difficult for patients to think of everything they want to ask the doctor. Often, it helps to make a list of questions. To help remember what the doctor says, people may take notes or ask whether they may use a tape recorder. Some patients also want to have a family member or friend with them when they talk to the doctor--to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.

These are some questions a patient may want to ask the doctor before treatment begins:

• What type of kidney cancer do I have?
• What is the stage of the disease?
• What are the treatment choices? Which do you recommend? Why?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
• What are the chances that the treatment will be successful?
• What new treatments are being studied in clinical trials? Would a clinical trial be appropriate?
• How long will treatment last?
• Will I have to stay in the hospital?
• Will treatment affect my normal activities? If so, for how long?
• What is the treatment likely to cost?

People do not need to ask all their questions or remember all the answers at one time. Questions may arise throughout the treatment process. Patients may wish to ask doctors, nurses, or other members of the health care team to explain things further or to provide more information.

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