Breast Cancer: Treatment Questions 

Talking with healthcare providers about cancer can be overwhelming. It can be hard to take in all of the information. It helps to be prepared. Make a list of questions and bring them to your appointments. Write the answers down. Make sure you ask how treatment will change your daily life, including your diet, work, and sex life. Ask how you will look and feel during and after treatment. Ask how successful the treatment is expected to be, and what the risks and possible side effects are.

You may also want to ask a friend or family member to go with you. He or she can take notes and write down the answers, too. They might also ask questions you may not think of. You can also ask your healthcare provider if you can record the conversation.

Below are some questions to get you started.

Deciding on treatment

  • What kind of breast cancer do I have?

  • What is the grade and stage of my cancer? What's my hormone and HER2 status? What does all this mean?

  • How soon do I need to start treatment?

  • Has the cancer spread anywhere else in my body?

  • What are my treatment choices?

  • What treatments do you think are best for me?

  • What are the goals of each of these treatments?

  • How will I feel during treatment? Will treatment change my daily life?

  • How will I look during and after treatment?

  • Where will the scars be? What will they look like?

  • Is breast-conserving surgery an option for me?

  • Will my lymph nodes be removed? How many and why?

  • Will I need to know how to take care of my incision when I get home?

  • If I decide to have reconstructive surgery, how and when can that be done? Can you suggest a plastic surgeon?

  • Are there any long-term or permanent side effects? 

  • Will treatment affect my ability to get pregnant or give birth?

  • What is the success rate of this treatment for my type and stage of breast cancer?

  • What is the life expectancy for someone with my stage of cancer having this treatment?

  • Are there any clinical trials that I can be part of?

  • How much will treatment cost? Will my insurance cover it? How much will I have to pay for treatment? 

  • Can you recommend a doctor who could give me a second opinion about my treatment options? 

  • Should I see a genetics counselor to talk about genetic testing?

  • Where can I find more information about breast cancer and what to expect?

Getting ready for treatment

  • What is the length of the treatment period? When will it start? 

  • How long will each treatment take?

  • Where do I have to go for the treatment?

  • Will I need to stay in the hospital? If so, for how long? 

  • Who will give me the treatment?

  • Does someone need to be with me during the treatment?

  • Can I take my other medicines during treatment?

  • What side effects can I expect?

  • What can I do to try to limit side effects?

  • What can I do to get ready to start treatment?

  • What should I do to keep from getting pregnant during treatment?

Coping during treatment

  • How will I feel during treatment?

  • How long will the side effects last?

  • Are there side effects that I need to call you about?

  • How can I reach you after hours and on weekends?

  • What can I do to ease the side effects?

  • How will we know if the treatment is working?

  • Will I be able to go to work and be around my family?

  • Should I change my diet? What foods can’t I eat?

  • Should I exercise? What type of exercise should I do?

  • Are there support groups nearby that I can join?

After treatment

  • How will I feel after the treatment?

  • How long could it take for me to feel better?

  • What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?

  • What kinds of healthcare providers will I need to see? Who will lead my follow-up care?

  • Am I at risk for lymphedema? What should I watch for?

  • How will we know if the treatment worked?

  • What are the chances that the cancer will come back?

  • What long-term side effects should I watch for?

  • Are there limits to what I can or should do?

  • What can I do to get and stay healthy?

Online Medical Reviewer: Kimberly Stump-Sutliff RN MSN AOCNS
Online Medical Reviewer: Lu Cunningham RN BSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Richard LoCicero MD
Date Last Reviewed: 11/1/2019
© 2020 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions.