Communication Is a Two-Way Street

• Keep a journal or notes about any symptoms or side effects you are experiencing, including frequency and severity. If you prefer, you can also use symptom tracking apps available on your mobile device’s app store. Please contact your healthcare professional right away if you experience any serious or worrisome side effects.
  
• Think about whether you want a family member or close friend to come with you to the appointment. They can offer support, help take notes, and ask questions.
  
• Depending on your type of cancer, discussion guides are available to help prepare a list of specific questions for your doctor or healthcare team and prioritize them based on your needs at that moment.
  

• Commit to being open and honest with your healthcare team.
  
• Make sure your healthcare team knows about your current health status, medications, emotional state, and any changes in your daily life.
  
  • Refer to your symptom journal and discussion guide.
  • Be sure to bring extra paper and a pen to write down key points from your conversation.
  • Ask for clarification if you don’t fully understand the information given to you.
  • Your healthcare team should help you understand the potential benefits, side effects, and uncertainties about your treatment options and also which choices best match your goals.
• Record what your doctor or healthcare professional says (if they agree to it) during your appointment so that you can refer back to what was discussed later.

Even after a productive discussion with your healthcare team, it’s normal for additional questions to arise immediately following an appointment.

• Be sure to write any new questions in your journal and address them either at your next visit or during a follow-up call with your healthcare team, depending on the urgency.
• If your oncology/healthcare team offers an online communication system, don’t hesitate to reach out with questions between visits.