Interactive Tool

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

General question lists are available from resources like Mayo Clinic, the American Cancer Society, BreastCancer.org, and Susan G. Komen, to name a few. The questions here focus on decision-making — weighing options and participating actively in your care.

Check the questions that matter to you, add your own, and print a list to bring to your next appointment. Note: These are suggested questions to discuss with your own medical team — they are not medical advice.

What are my options?

Could you help me understand all the treatment options available for my situation — including those beyond the standard first-line recommendation? I would like to understand the reasoning behind each option, not just the recommendation — can we go through the trade-offs together? Is there any genomic or molecular testing available that could help us understand my tumor better — for example, its aggressiveness or biological characteristics — and guide more personalized treatment decisions?

How much time do I have to decide?

Do I have days, weeks, or longer to think through my options?

How do I understand this well enough to weigh in?

I want to be an active part of this decision. What do I need to understand to weigh these options well? Can you recommend reliable sources where I can learn more about my specific situation and the treatment options being considered? Are there specific articles or studies you would recommend I read to understand the evidence behind these options?

Which option is actually best for me?

Would any of these options give me a better chance of survival, or are the main differences about side effects and quality of life? For each treatment option — what side effects should I expect, how long might they last, how would they affect my day-to-day life, and what can we do to make them more tolerable?

How do I reach my medical team when I need to?

Between appointments, what is the best way for me to reach you or your team with questions — email, patient portal, phone, or something else?

Your own questions

Enter one question per line. They will appear below and on your printed list.