Print this checklist of questions you can ask on behalf of your spouse
or partner. To capture all the important information, you may want to bring
a tape recorder or a notepad.
Questions to Ask Immediately
Will he need radiation?
How can we obtain a second opinion?
Will further tests be needed to determine treatment options?
What further tests will be needed?
Will surgery be needed?
What type of surgery is being recommended?
What are the options?
Do we have a choice in treatments?
Can you describe the treatments?
What are the advantages of this?
Disadvantages?
Risks?
If we don’t have a choice in treatments, why not?
Do you have a professional opinion as to which choice is better?
If not, how do you recommend we make this difficult choice?
How much time do we have to make a decision?
Surgery
How long might recovery take?
Will he have to stop working?
If so, when will he have to stop?
If so, when can he return?
Are there restrictions of activities before or after surgery?
Chemotherapy
Will he need chemotherapy?
What does chemo do? How does it help?
How often will he need the treatment?
When must he begin?
Can you describe the treatment?
Where will it take place?
How long will each treatment take?
Will he need someone with him?
Will his hair fall out?
What are the side effects? How are those side effects managed?
How long will he have to take these drugs?
Are there restrictions on activities before, during, or after chemotherapy?
Radiation
Will he need radiation?
Exactly how does that work?
When and where will treatment take place?
Can you describe the procedure?
Will you be there?
Will he be radioactive?
Will he get burns on his body?
If he needs to have surgery at a later time, will prior radiation
have an effect on that?
Are there restrictions on activities before, during, or after radiation?
For Prostate Cancer Patients
Will he need to have his prostate removed?
Will you describe the procedure(s)?
The Future
Can we still have children?
How will this affect our sex life?
Can we still have sex?
Might this affect her sex drive in any way?
Do any of the treatments he will be taking raise his risk factors
for other types of cancer?
Are there any steps we can take to decrease that risk?
Can a man live without his prostate?
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Checklist of Questions to Ask Doctors
