Questions to ask
Asking the right questions
Sometimes going to see your GP or a hospital doctor can be hard
and it may difficult to think of the right questions to ask - only
to remember when you are back at home!
It may well help to take someone with you because quite often
they will be able to remember some details of the appointment and
information that you didn't.
Below are a list of possible questions that you may wish to
ask.
Questions to ask your GP if you are being referred to hospital
for tests
- What tests will be carried out?
- What are they looking for?
- How long will it take for the test appointments to come
through?
- Are these tests painful?
- How long will they take?
- Can they be done in an out-patients clinic?
- What department can I expect to hear from?
- Should I take someone with me?
- How will I feel afterwards?
- When will I get the results?
- Who will give me the results? And will they explain them to
me?
- Can I have a copy of my results?
- Will I be referred urgently? And if so, what is the time limit
for urgent referrals?
Questions to ask if you have been diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer
- Where is the cancer located in the pancreas?
- What type of cancer do I have?
- What stage is it at?
- Has it spread? If so where to?
- What treatment options do I have?
- What is the likely outcome of the recommended treatment?
- What are the risks and side-effects of the treatment
proposed?
- Will I be in pain? How will this be managed?
- Can I have surgery?
- Am I going to see any other doctor or specialist?
- Is this a specialist pancreatic cancer centre?
- Who will be the main contact for my care? How do I contact
them?
- Has my diagnosis been discussed by a multi-disciplinary
team?
- Will I have access to a specialist nurse?
- Are there any clinical trials that I could join? How do I find
out about these?
- Can I get a second opinion?
- What if my family want to speak to the doctor without me? Is
this allowed?
- How can I make myself feel better during and after
treatment?
- How will the treatment affect my day-to-day life?
- Can I be tested for pancreatic enzyme insufficiency and
prescribed enzymes if needed?
- Will I receive written information about my diagnosis and
treatment?
- Will I have access to counselling?
- Can I have alternative therapies/treatments alongside my
regular treatment?
Questions to ask if you will be having surgery for pancreatic
cancer
- Where is the regional pancreatic cancer surgical centre?
- How experienced is the surgeon at performing this type of
operation?
- What are the risks and complications of surgery?
- How much of my pancreas will be removed?
- What are the after-effects of having surgery? How long will it
take me to recover?
- Will I have to go on any medication after surgery?
- Will I be given chemotherapy after surgery?
- Will I become diabetic?