Questions to Ask Before Treatment

  • 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?

  • For how many weeks will I receive radiation? How many treatments will I receive per week?

  • What are the chances that radiation therapy will work?

  • What is the chance that the cancer will spread or come back if I do not have radiation therapy?

  • Will I need chemotherapy, surgery or other treatments? If so, in what order will I receive these treatments?

  • How soon after radiation therapy can I start them?

  • How should I prepare for this financially?

  • What are some of the support groups I can turn to during treatment?

  • If I have questions after I leave here, who can I call?

  • Will radiation therapy affect my ability to have children?

  • Do you take my insurance?