Talking With Your Care Team

Your doctor and nurse play an important role in your treatment. They can assist you with your treatment choice and help you cope with emotional and physical challenges. Ask them questions and voice your concerns.

Talk with your oncology care team to understand how the chemotherapy may affect your day-to-day activities.

Your oncology care team can walk you through the types of side effects that may occur and the likelihood that you will experience them.
They can tell you about the types of preventive medicines that can help.

It's OK to ask questions like:

Will treatment affect my normal routine?
What side effects are expected with this treatment?
What medicines can be taken to prevent or reduce these side effects?
How long will the side effects last?
Will I need to change my diet?
Should I call you if I experience side effects at home?
What is the best way to contact your office?

Certain side effects, like nausea and vomiting, can be predicted by certain risk factors.

See if you are at risk by filling out the Risk Factor Quiz.
Take the results of the quiz to your next doctor appointment.

Make sure you discuss any side effects that have occurred between visits, even if they have passed.

Your oncology care team can assess your overall care.
If necessary, they can change your medicine to more
effective treatment.

Make a list of any side effects you experience as they occur. Take this list with you to your next appointment to help you review these important issues with your oncology care team.

Print this Patient Diary to help you track your side effects and overall well-being between appointments.

Call your oncology care team immediately if side effects continue to interfere with your daily activities even after taking your medicines.

No matter what, make sure you talk to your oncology care team. At this time in your life, there is no such thing as a silly question. If you do not understand the answer, ask again. It is important for you to understand what is happening to you, so do not be shy.

The bottom line is this: your oncology care team is there for you, so there’s no need to suffer in silence. Get help if you need it.

This site is intended only for residents of the United States, its territories, and Puerto Rico.