Having the correct information is an important way to help you cope with what's going on. It can also give you a sense of control when everything else seems out of control.

Some people like to know every little detail, while others just want the key facts.

Whatever you choose is okay. How much and what you want to know may change over time.

Questions to ask your doctor

• What kind of cancer do I have? (in plain English please!)
• What part of my body does it affect?
• How do you know I have cancer?
• What tests are you going to do?
• Is this cancer going to be painful?
• What kind of treatment will I have? Where can I find extra info about it?
• Will the treatment be painful?
• Does the treatment have side effects?
• How long does the treatment take?
• Will I have to go to hospital? And if I do, for how long?
• Will it change the way I look, feel or act?
• What happens if I don’t have the treatment?
• What about school, work and the rest of my life?
• How will we know if the treatment is working?
• What will happen if the treatment doesn’t work?
• Is there anything special I should be doing, eating, reading etc.?
• Have you ever treated someone with my cancer before?
• How many have you treated?
• What age were they?
• When you talk to my parents, will you include me in the conversation? Will I be able to talk to you with my parents out of the room?
• Will you always tell me the truth about what is going on?
• No offence – but can I get another opinion if I feel unsure?
• Is there any new research or clinical trials for my type of cancer?

Information overload

Being stressed, upset or scared makes it hard to remember a lot of the stuff that you get told.

These tips may help:

• Write your questions down.
• Write the answers down.
• Ask people to repeat things if you don’t get it the first time (or the second or tenth time).
• Pictures and diagrams can help – don’t be scared to ask people to use these.

Remember: you may need to remind people to talk in plain English, not medical language.