Questions to Ask About Your Melanoma Treatment

When you're diagnosed with a serious health problem, especially cancer, you should ask as many questions as possible. Here's what to ask your doctor about melanoma.

Talking with healthcare providers about cancer can be overwhelming. It can be hard to take in all of the information. It helps to be prepared.

Make a list of questions and bring them to your appointments. Write the answers down in a notebook. Make sure you ask how your treatment will change your daily life, including your diet and how you will look and feel after treatment. Ask how successful the treatment is expected to be and what the risks and possible side effects are.

You may also want to ask a friend or family member to come with you. He or she can take notes, write down your doctor’s answers, and ask questions you may not think of. You can also ask your doctor if you can record the conversation.

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Below are some questions to ask during your appointments.

Questions about diagnosis

• What is the level and depth of my melanoma?
• Do I have melanoma in my lymph nodes? 
• Has the cancer spread anywhere else in my body?
• Are there other tests I need before we can decide on treatment? 

Questions about treatment for melanoma

• How much experience do you have treating melanoma? 
• What are my treatment choices?
• Which treatment do you think is best for me?
• What is the chance for recurrence?
• What is my prognosis?
• Will I develop cancer elsewhere in my body?
• Should I have genetic testing?
• Am I eligible for a clinical trial?
• Do I need treatment right away?
• Where will I get my care?

Questions about treatment side effects

• What are the long-term side effects?
• What are the short-term side effects?
• Are there any complications from treatment?
• Will treatment for my cancer affect my ability to have children? If so, are there fertility preservation options?
• What are the expected outcomes from my treatment?
• Will I need reconstructive surgery?
• What support services are available to me?
• Are there any complementary therapies I can do while receiving cancer treatment?

Getting ready for treatment

• How long will I get this treatment?
• What should I do to get ready for the treatment?
• Who will give me the treatment?
• How long will each treatment take?
• Does someone need to go with me during treatments?

Coping during treatment

• What side effects might I have during and after treatment?
  
• What can I do to ease the side effects?
• How long will side effects last?
• Will I be able to go to work and be around my family?
• Are there support groups nearby that I can join?

After treatment

• Will I have a scar?
• What can I do to decrease my risk of recurrence?
• What type of follow-up will I need after treatment? 

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