Five Important Questions to Ask your Oncologist

Cancer is among the ten leading causes of death in India taking its toll on five lakh people annually. As per WHO Report 2005, the estimated cancer deaths in India are expected to increase to 7 lakh by 2015. Cancer is fast becoming a major health concern as up to one million new cases of cancer are reported every year. Medical experts opine that delay in diagnosis is one of the main reasons cancer has become a leading life threat. About two third of cancer cases in the country can be prevented if patients seek second medical opinion to rule out misdiagnosis and avoid delay in treatment.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you must seek a second medical opinion  from an oncologist to get your reports cross checked and understand your medical condition. Here are a few questions you must ask your oncologist to get an better insight into your diagnosis and begin with a line of treatment that best suits your case:

What types of diagnostic testing have been performed to conclude my diagnosis?

Cancer diagnosis is not always straightforward. Experts explain that it's not always obvious which cells might be cancerous as every cancer is different. There are many cases of misdiagnosis reported every year wherein patients with benign tumors are treated for cancer. An accurate diagnosis is critical to determine an efficient treatment plan. Make sure your diagnosis has been made using the modern diagnostic equipments that can even detect the smallest lesions before any major symptoms are noticed.

Could you Interpret and explain my diagnostic report?

You must be able to understand the information generated about your medical condition in the tests. Ask your doctor for clear interpretation of the diagnostic report. Some of the questions that may concern you are:  The origin of cancer, size of tumor, stage of cancer and whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body.

What treatment options are available for my case?

There are many cancer treatments available depending on the type and stage of cancer. Seek medical opinion from an oncologist to completely understand the available treatment options before committing to one. With the aid of online healthcare companies you can now book appointment with top notch medical specialists or request second medical opinion from the comfort of your home.

Do you have a backup treatment procedure if the suggested approach doesn’t work for me?

The suggested or opted treatment option may not give desired results. It is thus important to keep a back up treatment option beforehand. Feel free to seek a second option from a super specialist if you feel that the line of treatment given by your doctor is not effective. It is advisable to talk to your own doctor about your inhibitions and ask for an alternative treatment method. Settle for an oncologist who is updated with the current oncological trends and is open to try new and effective approaches in healthcare.

What are the side effects of the suggested treatment, and how will you help me cope with them?

Always remember that no two patients have the same response  to similar treatments. Right from recovery time to side effects, every treatment aspect may vary depending on factors, external and internal. Ask your doctor about the potential side effects of the given treatment and how you can prepare yourself for them. Inquire if the care centre offers alternative therapies like nutrition therapy, ayurveda, yoga, pain management to help patients prevent and manage side effects of cancer treatment. 

By Medical Opinion