What to ask your cancer doctor and care team: a checklist by diagnosis, treatment, side effects, cost and support
This is a checklist to prepare before a visit, not a script to interrogate your care team. Each time, pick the three to five questions that matter most and ask them in your own words. Ask the treating doctor about diagnosis and treatment; for appointments, reports, fees, insurance and support, ask the relevant staff — you will usually get a clearer answer faster.
Who to ask for what
The treating doctor handles diagnosis, treatment choices and medical risks; nurses or case managers help with the treatment process, day-to-day arrangements and emergency contacts; the appointments, test or medical-records offices handle scheduling, reports and copies; the billing office and the insurer explain the hospital bill and your policy cover respectively; medical social workers, dietitians and other allied-health staff provide the matching support.
Four things to settle first
| What you can ask | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| What is the very first step I need to take now? | Treating doctor |
| Is the pathology diagnosis and staging complete? What reports or tests are still missing? | Treating doctor |
| Which specialty and which doctor will mainly follow my case? Who should I see next? | Treating doctor or specialist nurse |
| By when do I need to decide on treatment? If I want a second opinion, is there still time? | Treating doctor |
Diagnosis and staging
| What you can ask | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| Which type of cancer do I have? What stage is it now? | Treating doctor |
| Which pathology, imaging or laboratory results is this diagnosis mainly based on? | Treating doctor |
| Does this cancer generally grow or spread quickly? What does the doctor base that judgement on? | Treating doctor |
| Are any important results still pending? Could the pending results change the stage or the treatment direction? | Treating doctor |
| At this stage, is the treatment goal cure, controlling the disease, or relieving symptoms? | Treating doctor |
Tests and reports
| What you can ask | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| Which further tests do I still need? What is each test mainly trying to find out? | Treating doctor |
| How should I prepare before the test? Do I need to fast, stop any medicine, or arrange for a family member to come with me? | Nurse or test department |
| What risks or side effects might this test have? In which situations should I seek help? | Treating doctor or test department |
| Does this test involve radiation? If so, how should I understand the risk? | Treating doctor or radiology staff |
| How long after the test will the report be ready? Who will notify me? If I don't hear back, who should I contact? | Test or appointments office |
| If I want copies of my records, pathology report, images or laboratory results, how do I apply? | Medical records or imaging office |
| If I transfer hospital or seek a second opinion, how are the reports, images, pathology slides or blocks handed over? | Medical records office or new care team |
Care team and specialties
| What you can ask | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| Which specialties will be involved in my care? What is each mainly responsible for? | Treating doctor |
| Given my situation, besides oncology, which other specialist doctors do I need to be followed by? | Treating doctor |
| Which doctor coordinates the overall treatment plan and the arrangements across specialties? | Treating doctor or specialist nurse |
| How will my treatment be discussed and followed up jointly across the different specialties? | Treating doctor |
| Which other health staff will be involved, for example a dietitian, physiotherapist or medical social worker? | Specialist nurse or case manager |
| If I have questions about the process or appointments, who should I usually contact? | Specialist nurse or case manager |
Treatment options
| What you can ask | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| What are the common treatment options for my type of cancer at the moment? | Treating doctor |
| Which option do you recommend more? Why is it more suitable for my situation? | Treating doctor |
| For each option, what are the treatment goal, expected benefits, main risks and trade-offs? | Treating doctor |
| What effectiveness and common risks does medical research generally show for this treatment? How relevant are those figures to my situation? | Treating doctor |
| What changes should I expect to see after treatment? By what method and at what time points will the effect be assessed? | Treating doctor |
| If the first option does not work as hoped, what is usually arranged next? | Treating doctor |
| If treatment needs to be delayed, the dose adjusted or the regimen changed, how will the doctor assess the impact? | Treating doctor |
| If I agree, could you explain the condition and treatment plan to me together with my family? | Treating doctor |
Treatment process and logistics
| What you can ask | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| When do I need to start treatment? How much time do I have to consider before deciding on an option? | Treating doctor |
| How long does each treatment take, how often is it, and roughly how long is the whole course? | Specialist nurse or treatment centre |
| Does treatment require admission, or can it be done as a day case or outpatient? | Specialist nurse or treatment centre |
| On the day of treatment and afterwards, what sensations or reactions might there usually be? | Specialist nurse |
| Can a family member accompany me during treatment? | Treatment centre or appointments office |
| On the day of treatment, can I drive myself or take public transport? Do I need to arrange a pick-up? Does the hospital have parking? | Treatment centre or hospital enquiry desk |
| In the first few days after treatment, can I stay at home on my own? Do I need someone to accompany or care for me? | Specialist nurse |
| During treatment, which foods, medicines, supplements or activities should I avoid? | Treating doctor, nurse or pharmacist |
| During treatment, can I work, exercise, drive or care for my family? | Treating doctor or specialist nurse |
| In an emergency, who should I contact? Which phone numbers do I need to note down? | Specialist nurse |
| Which symptoms mean I should go to A&E right away rather than wait for the next follow-up? | Treating doctor or specialist nurse |
Side effects and long-term effects
| What you can ask | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| What are the common and the more serious side effects of this treatment? | Treating doctor or specialist nurse |
| When do side effects usually appear, and how long do they last? | Treating doctor or specialist nurse |
| Are there ways to prevent or ease side effects? Which medicines or supplies should I prepare in advance? | Treating doctor, nurse or pharmacist |
| If a common side effect appears, how can I manage it first? In which situations should I contact the care team? | Specialist nurse |
| If a serious side effect appears, who should I contact during and outside office hours respectively? | Specialist nurse |
| Will treatment affect fertility, sexual function, menopause or long-term life? If this matters to me, when should I raise it? | Treating doctor |
Second opinion
| What you can ask | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| If I want to understand other options better, is this a suitable stage to get a second opinion? | Treating doctor |
| Should a second opinion come from the same specialty, a different sub-specialty, or a different care team? | Treating doctor or specialist nurse |
| Before getting a second opinion, which pathology reports, images, laboratory results and treatment records should I prepare? | Medical records office |
| If the two doctors advise differently, could you help me understand the main differences and trade-offs? | Second doctor |
Clinical trials
| What you can ask | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| Are there any clinical trials that would be suitable for me to learn about now? | Treating doctor |
| Given my situation, might I meet the eligibility criteria to take part? | Treating doctor or research team |
| What are the purpose, possible benefits, risks and extra arrangements of taking part? | Research team |
| Would joining a clinical trial affect my current treatment, follow-up, costs or insurance arrangements? | Research team and insurer |
Costs and insurance
| What you can ask | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| Roughly which costs does the whole treatment involve? Could you provide a written estimate first? | Billing office or hospital staff |
| Does the quote include the doctor's fee, hospital fee, drug costs, test fees, anaesthetist fee and follow-up fees? | Billing office |
| Which drugs, tests or treatment items are self-financed or not subsidised? | Treating doctor or pharmacist |
| If a treatment or drug is not subsidised or covered by insurance, is there another clinically suitable option? | Treating doctor |
| What does my policy require regarding a referral letter, pre-authorisation, or a designated doctor or hospital? | Insurer or intermediary |
| Could you provide a quote, diagnosis certificate, referral letter and an itemised bill to help with a claim? | Hospital or clinic staff |
Support and care
| What you can ask | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| If I have no insurance or the out-of-pocket pressure is high, which fee waivers, funds or drug subsidies can I enquire about? | Medical social worker |
| If I have difficulty with finances, caregiving, emotions or family arrangements, what support can I get? | Medical social worker |
| Where can I get reliable information about my disease and treatment that is suitable for patients to read? | Specialist nurse or cancer support organisation |
| Are there patient groups, cancer support organisations or carer support services? | Specialist nurse or cancer support organisation |
| If my appetite, weight or eating is affected, how should I adjust? | Dietitian |
| What adjustments do I need to make to exercise, sleep, smoking, drinking or other lifestyle habits? | Treating doctor or specialist nurse |
| After discharge, if I need home care, rehabilitation or community services, who do I ask? | Medical social worker or discharge support team |
| If I or my family are finding it emotionally very hard to cope, who can I turn to for help? | Medical social worker, psychological services or specialist nurse |
What to bring to the first appointment
Proof of identity, your appointment details and a referral letter (if any)
Pathology, laboratory and imaging reports, plus imaging discs, USB drives or online links (if any)
Records of past outpatient visits, hospital stays, surgery and discharge
A list of all current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, Chinese medicine, health products and supplements, with doses
Allergy records, other chronic conditions and side effects from past treatment
Medical insurance or company medical details (if you need to ask about claims or pre-authorisation)
The three to five questions you most want to ask; if it helps, bring a family member to come along and take notes
Related guides
For a second opinion: see how to prepare for a second opinion; if two doctors advise differently, see what to compare when two doctors disagree.
To get copies of your records, pathology reports and images: see how to get your own medical records and images.
Fee waivers, funds and drug subsidies: see cancer financial support in Hong Kong.
What to bring and ask before seeing a doctor: see how to prepare for a specialist appointment.
How oncology is divided: see clinical oncology vs medical oncology.
How to use this page
This is a list of questions to help you prepare, not a personal diagnosis or treatment advice. The effectiveness, risks and timing of treatment should be explained by your doctor according to the cancer type, stage, your condition and the treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to ask every single question?
No. Each time, pick the three to five questions that most affect your next step. Keep medical questions for the treating doctor, and let the relevant staff handle the process and support questions.
Will asking for a second opinion make it look like I don't trust my doctor?
You can open with 'I'd like to understand the different options better' — the point is to clarify the plan, not to doubt any one doctor. Whether you need a second opinion is also something you can first discuss with your treating doctor.
Can I bring a family member to hear the doctor's explanation?
You can raise this when booking or at the visit. The actual arrangement depends on the clinic or hospital's rules, the consultation setting, and whether the patient agrees to the care team sharing their condition with family.