Your doctor usually recommends what chemotherapy is best for your situation and your type of cancer. Because cancer is different for everyone, your chemotherapy will be planned just for you.

Work closely with your doctor to decide what is best for you. Keep in mind that you usually have time before you have to make a treatment decision to explore the proposed treatment and alternatives. Ask your doctor how long you have so you can take the time you need to feel confident about your choice.

Ask questions. 

• Ask the doctor, nurses, social workers, and other professionals on your team as many questions as you need to. They know the most about chemo and how it works. Sample questions are included below.
• The answers to your questions may be stated in medical terms, or concepts that are difficult to understand. Don't be afraid to ask that the answer be repeated in different language until you understand it.  (There are various aides to help you remember the doctor's answers to your questions. One way is to take a patient advocate with you to the meeting. Another is to record the session with the doctor (with his or her permission, of course).
• If you do not get all your questions answered during your session with the doctor, ask when you can follow-up with additional questions (on the phone, via email or in another appointment).

Come prepared.

Write down your questions ahead of time. Don't be afraid to admit you are confused or that you need to ask the same questions over again. Nothing you say will sound "silly" or "strange" to your health care team, because they know you want to understand your chemo plan as much as possible. All patients getting chemo have questions.

You can keep track of your questions with Survivorship A to Z's Prioritizer. Write questions as you think of them. Before you go to the doctor, number the questions in order of priority to you. A click of a key will shuffle your questions into your order to print and take with you.

There are various aides to help you remember the answers to your questions.

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