What questions should I ask my oncologist at my first appointment?

Preparing thoughtful questions for that first oncology appointment can help make the most of the time together. Consider asking about your specific diagnosis details, treatment options available to you, timeline expectations, and what support resources might be helpful during treatment. Many find it useful to bring a notebook or have someone with them to help remember the discussion, as there's often a lot of information shared in these appointments. This community has many members who've been through similar appointments and may share additional question ideas that were helpful for them.

Agree with the AI suggestions, especially to bring a trusted someone to the appointment. I brought my adult daughter and she thought of questions I hadn’t thought of. One thing i would add is to ask how to contact someone outside of appointments. You will want to report side effects, ask questions, & etc.

I wrote down EVERY question that popped into my head down in a notebook then read them over and reorganized the 2 days before my appointment. I kept that notebook within arms length 24/7.. even slept with it in case I thought of something when laying in bed stressing. I had 4 pages of questions from "can I still use my Invisalign retainer" to "did I get cancer from eating too much soy/tofu" and every kind of question in between. And I would suggest bringing someone with you. It is a lot of information and everyone remembers different things that were said. It was very helpful

I really wish you luck. I found oncology to be difficult to work with.

@judith s., in what way did you find onc difficult?

They have pre-menopausal/postmenopausal drugs and 5 year,or, 10 year treatment plans. They don’t want to discuss anything else even if your cancer recurrence percentage is small. I found that they were hesitant to answer questions. I choose not to do any aromatase inhibitors. When I told my breast surgeon, she was fine with me not taking them because mine was small and slow growing. Oncology justifies the side effects, even getting another cancer. I did not feel comfortable for my situation. I felt like another number for a lab experiment. I’m sure Outcomes4me will generate an AI reply to my thoughts. But if you scroll through this site many women who make the decision to go on the drugs and follow their protocol dealing with horrific side effects also end-up getting another breast cancer. And then they are angry. ‘I did what they told me, suffered the side effects and boom. It’s back. I am 100% comfortable with the decision I made for me. But I do not know your specific situation. Advocate for you!!!! Ask the questions and then go with your gut.

My tumor was 1c and slow growing too. Surgeons operate and oncologist treat - listen to your oncologist - cancer wants to come back! You don’t want to give your surgeon repeat business. I was on Letrozole for 15 years and the cancer came back as Stage 4 three years later - wish I had never stopped taking it. If you don’t like Letrozole ask for another aromatase inhibitor. Anything you can do to prevent is useful. The longer you are cancer free with HR+ tumors the higher probability your cancer will come back.

Who were ur Drs.and where?

My thinking is it is best to go to a comprehensive cancer center affiliated with a university hospital. If you have to travel, travel. I was given many options and the information i needed to make my choice. Follow up Is great too.

Where do u live? I’m here in Fl. and I go to U Health which is actually associated with Sylvester (University of Miami) I’ve been with my Dr. for almost 13 yrs. She’s head of the department, does trials, and research. A very interesting thing happened. I was tested twice for genetic and braca 1&2. Everything came back negative. She looked in the tumors and found the braca gene. So my cancer is not genetic. I got cause I took so much estrogen for menopause cause I didn’t want to deal with the flashes. Interesting enough my brother had cancer my Mom was 103 plus when she died and found out 2 weeks before she had colon-rectal cancer that spread everywhere. And we never knew it cause she never complained. Anyway u’re probably right about finding a Dr. who’s associated with a cancer center. They seem to be more interested in u and how to deal with ur particular situation. And they have access to more. So I wish u a Happy,Healthy and Safe New Year. Please keep in touch and let me know how u are. Mary

Were you asking me? I live in Maryland. I travel into DC to the ourisman breast center at Georgetown university. I have a friend in Florida who goes to Moffit Cancer center in Tampa. She says it’s great.