09/10/2026
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ONCOLOGIST...
Here are questions that people often find useful, grouped by topic. You don’t need to ask all of them at once, and it helps to bring a friend or family member to take notes, or to ask if you can record the visit.
Understanding your diagnosis:
What type of breast cancer do I have (for example, ductal or lobular, invasive or in situ)?
What are the stage and grade, and what do they mean for me?
What are my hormone receptor (ER/PR) and HER2 results, and how do they affect treatment?
Has the cancer spread to lymph nodes or elsewhere? Do I need more tests, such as imaging, genomic testing (like Oncotype DX), or genetic testing?
Treatment options:
What are my treatment options, and which do you recommend and why?
What is the goal of treatment: cure, control, or something else?
Will I need surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, and in what order?
If surgery: lumpectomy vs. mastectomy, what are the tradeoffs? Is reconstruction an option, and should I see a plastic surgeon before surgery?
Are there clinical trials I might be eligible for?
Would a second opinion be reasonable? Can you help me arrange one?
Side effects and daily life:
What side effects should I expect, short-term and long-term, and which ones should prompt a call right away?
How will treatment affect my work, energy, sleep, and daily routine?
Will treatment affect my fertility or bring on menopause? If I want children, what should I do before starting?
How will treatment affect my sexual health, mood, and body image, and who can help with those?
Are there foods, supplements, or activities I should avoid or focus on, including exercise?
It’s also fine to tell your oncologist what worries you most, whether that’s side effects, fear of recurrence, or work and family. That helps them focus on what matters to you.
