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Questions To Ask Before Treatment

Below are some questions that you might ask your doctor to help them guide you through this process.

  • What type and stage of cancer do I have?
  • What is the purpose of radiation treatment for my type of cancer?
  • How will the radiation therapy be given? Will it be external beam or brachytherapy? What do the treatments feel like?
  • How long will I receive radiation? How many treatments will I receive per week?
  • What are the chances that radiation therapy will work? Are there any other effective treatments?
  • What is the chance that the cancer will spread or come back if I do not have radiation therapy?
  • Will I need chemotherapy, surgery, hormone treatments or other treatments either before or after radiation therapy? If so, in what order will I receive these treatments? How will the treatments be coordinated? How soon after radiation therapy can I start them? 
  • Is there a clinical trial for which I might be eligible? Should I participate in a clinical trial?
  • What are the benefits and risks of radiation treatment including short-term and long-term side effects?
  • What are some of the support groups I can turn to during treatment?
  • Will radiation therapy affect my ability to have children?
  • If I have questions after I leave here, who can I call, message or email?
  • How should I prepare for this financially?
  • Do you take my insurance? Is there a co-pay?
  • Is this the most convenient location for treatment (close to home or work?)

The information on this site was created by our medical advisory board made up of physicians and other members of the radiation oncology team with expertise in radiation therapy and on the topics presented. However, this material is informational only and should not be used in place of advice from a medical professional. If you have questions about a specific treatment, please ask your radiation oncologist.