Booklet: What You Need to Know about Skin Cancer

Questions To Ask the Doctor

Skin cancer has a better prognosis, or outcome, than most other types of cancer. Although skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in this country, it accounts for much less than 1 percent of all cancer deaths. It is cured in 85 to 95 percent of all cases. Still, any diagnosis of cancer can be frightening, and it's natural to have concerns about medical tests, treatments, and doctors' bills.

Patients have many important questions to ask about cancer, and their doctor is the best person to provide answers. Most people want to know exactly what kind of cancer they have, how it can be treated, and how successful the treatment is likely to be. The following are some other questions that patients might want to ask their doctor:

• What types of treatment are available?
• Are there any risks or side effects of treatment?
• Will there be a scar?
• Will I have to change my normal activities?
• How can I protect myself from getting skin cancer again?
• How often will I need a checkup?

Some patients become concerned that treatment may change their appearance, especially if the skin cancer is on their face. Patients should discuss this important concern with their doctor. And they may want to have a second opinion before treatment. (See the Treatment Planning section.)

  Back to Content Page                          <<Back                    Next>>