Questions to Ask About Endometrial Cancer

As you cope with cancer, you need to have honest, open talks with your doctor. You should feel comfortable asking any question, no matter how small it might seem. Nurses, social workers, and other members of your treatment team might also be able to answer many of your questions. Here are some examples of questions you might want to ask:

When you’re told you have endometrial cancer

• What type and grade of endometrial cancer do I have?
• Has my cancer spread outside the uterus?
• What is the stage of the cancer and what does that mean?

When deciding on a treatment plan

• What treatments might be right for me? What do you recommend? Why?
• Are there clinical trials that I should think about?
• What's the goal of my treatment?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
• What risks or side effects should I expect? (Ask about both short- and long-term side effects.)
• Will treatment affect my sex life?
• Will I be able to have children after treatment?
• What are the chances my cancer will come back (recur) with the treatments we have discussed?
• Will my health insurance cover treatment? How much will I have to pay?

During treatment

Once treatment starts, you’ll need to know what to expect and what to look for. Not all of these questions may apply to you, but asking the ones that do may be helpful.

• How will we know if the treatment is working?
• How will you monitor my response to treatment?
• Is there anything I can do to help prevent or manage side effects?
• What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
• How can I reach you on nights, holidays, or weekends?
• Will I need to change what I eat during treatment?
• Are there any limits on what I can do?
• What kind of exercise should I do, and how often?
• Can I still take hormone replacement therapy?
• How will I feel during treatment?

After treatment

• Are there any limits on what I can do?
• What kind of exercise should I do now?
• What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
• How often will I need to have follow-up exams and imaging tests?
• Will I need any blood tests?
• How will we know if the cancer has come back? What symptoms should I watch for?
• What will my options be if the cancer comes back?
• When can I go back to my usual activities at work and/or around the house?

Along with these sample questions, be sure to come up with some of your own. For instance, you might want to ask about getting a second opinion, or you may need specific information about how long it might take you to recover so you can plan your work schedule.

Remembering what the doctor says

It’s hard to remember all of the things you’re told at each doctor’s visit, especially when you’re anxious or afraid.

Even if the doctor carefully explains things, you might not hear or remember all that’s said or shown to you. Here are some ways to help you remember everything your doctor tells you.

• Take notes on what your doctor says.
• Ask if you can record your talks.
• Take a family member or friend with you. Ask them to remind you of questions you want to ask and ask them to take notes, so you can focus on listening and talking directly with the doctor.

Doctors aren’t the only ones who can give you information. Other health care professionals, such as nurses and social workers, can answer a lot of your questions. To find out more about speaking with your health care team, see The Doctor-Patient Relationship.