Some of the critical essential questions are asked by the doctors or other healthcare team members to understand the diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care regarding small cell lung cancer. Additionally, communicating with the healthcare team is considered a fundamental approach for making informed decisions regarding healthcare. The suggested questions are regarded as the initial points for helping to learn about cancer care and related treatment. The individuals are motivated to raise questions that are important to themselves.
FAQ to Health Care Team regarding after diagnosis condition
- What is the type of small cell lung cancer that I have?
- Which stage of small cell lung cancer am I diagnosed with?
- Can I get the explanation and description of my pathology report (laboratory test results)?
- What are the mutations detected in the tumor, and what does it mean?
- Can you tell me the risk my family members can have due to small cell lung cancer?
FAQ to Health Care Team regarding treatment selection and management of side effects:
- What are the possible treatment options for me?
- What are the clinical trials that are available for me? Can you tell me the location and from where I can get more information regarding the clinical trials?
- Who will be leading my overall treatment?
- Who are the other persons contributing to the healthcare team for my assistance, and what are the roles of each member?
- Am I supposed to see other doctors to assist in my care, such as a thoracic surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, and pulmonologist? What is the role of each doctor?
- What treatment plans do you recommend for me and why?
- Do I require additional scans and biopsies for planning my treatment?
- What is the goal of each treatment? Does it contribute to eliminating cancer, making me feel better or do both simultaneously?
- What are the side effects from this treatment involving both short and long terms?
- What are the possible steps to treat my symptoms and side effects during my treatment process?
- How will the treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to resume my daily activities of working, exercising, and performing my other usual activities?
- Will the treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?
- Could this treatment affect my ability to conceive? Should I consult a fertility specialist before seeking my treatment?
- Who can help inform me about the cost management of cancer care?
- What costs will I pay if I have to participate in the clinical trial? What services will they include in my health insurance coverage?
- Are there available support services for my family and me?
- What online services can you recommend for me to learn more?
- Whom should I call if I am facing some issues?
FAQ to Health Care Team for undergoing chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy:
- What drugs are available for the therapies, and how will they give it?
- What is the significant impact of the side effects of each medication? are there side effects or problems should I analyze within me?
- Whom should I contact regarding the side effects I am experiencing and how soon?
- What are the steps to reduce the impact of side effects?
- Where will I receive these therapy-related treatments in hospitals or clinics? Should I receive it at home?
- How much time will it take If I require to visit the doctor for receiving the medication?
- Will I be capable of going and returning after taking the treatment on my own, or do I require another person to help me?
- What recommendations for the individuals taking their medication at home?
- What are the costs of these medications? Is there availability of less expensive options showing the same efficacy?
- FAQ to Health Care Team for undergoing radiation therapy?
- What is the plan management for my radiation therapy? What are the types of scans in my radiation therapy?
- Where will I receive radiation therapy?
- How often will I receive radiation therapy?
- How much time will each treatment take?
- what part of the healthy lung will receive radiation therapy?
- Can I take chemotherapy and radiation therapy simultaneously? If so, what are the possible side effects of providing the chemotherapy simultaneously, compared with one after another?
FAQ to Health Care Team regarding the management of follow-up care:
- What are the chances of cancer coming back? Do I need to look for specific signs and symptoms for the same?
- Can I do anything more to minimize the chances of cancer that may return?
- What are long-term side effects or late effects are possible based on the cancer treatment that I received?
- Whom should I contact regarding late or long-term side effects I am experiencing, and how soon?
- What follow-up steps do I require, and how frequently will I need them?
- How will I get a treatment summary and survivorship care plan to keep my records?
- Who will lead my follow-up care?
- What tests do the doctors conduct in my follow-up visit?
- What are the available survivorship support services for my family and me?
- FAQ to Health Care Team regarding smoking and recovery?
- What are the advantages of quitting smoking even after the cancer diagnosis?
- How will you help me in combating the habit of smoking?
