Ask every question that is important to you before agreeing to any treatment.

A list of suggested questions is contained in this document. Feel free to print a copy and take it with you to the doctor's appointment. Consider taking with you:

• A family member or friend to act as a patient advocate to help ask questions during the meeting and to and discuss the answers afterward.
•  A recording device to record the appointment so you can review it later. You will also be able to play it for other concerned friends or family members. 

Make sure you understand the answers to your questions. 

• Repeat the information back to your doctor and ask if your understanding is correct. This is particularly imporant with respects to the risks, benefits and alternatives.
• It may help to understand if the doctor can show you visuals such as viewing x-rays or scans. If necessary, ask the doctor to provide or draw a diagram. 

If you do not learn everything you need to know during your session with your doctor, ask the doctor when you can ask additional questions. If questions come up after the meeting, contact the doctor by phone, fax or e mail. Perhaps you can ask a member of your doctor's staff to find out the answer(s) for you.

If there is more than one treatment available, Survivorship A to Z's Treatment Evaluator will help you decide between them. See "To Learn More".

Before agreeing to a treatment:

• Know your rights with respect to treatment.
• Decide what is most important to you about your treatment.
• Be sure to tell your doctor what he or she needs to know.   
• If there are several alternatives to choose from, choose the one that will work best for your situation, needs and desires.

These subjects are discussed in the Survivorship A to Z document "How To Choose A Treatment" noted in "To Learn More."
 
If you want to refuse a treatment, but have difficulty saying so to your doctor, see "How To Refuse A Treatment" noted in "To Learn More."

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