Talking to Your Doctor About Ovarian Cancer

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MD

You have a unique medical history. Therefore, it is essential to talk with your doctor about your personal risk factors and/or experience with ovarian cancer. By talking openly and regularly with your doctor, you can take an active role in your care.

General Tips for Gathering Information

Here are some tips that will make it easier for you to talk to your doctor:

Bring someone else with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and think of questions to ask.
Write out your questions ahead of time, so you don't forget them.
Write down the answers you get, and make sure you understand what you are hearing. Ask for clarification, if necessary.
Don't be afraid to ask your questions or ask where you can find more information about what you are discussing. You have a right to know.

Specific Questions to ask your doctor

About Ovarian Cancer

How soon will I know the results from the lab?
Can you give me detailed information about:
- Ovarian cancer
- The stage of my cancer
- The grade of my cancer

About Your Risk of Developing Ovarian Cancer

Given my family and medical history, how great is my risk?
Should I have an ultrasound examination to make sure I don't have an early cancer in an ovary?

About Treatment Options

Do you recommend the current standard treatment, or would you advise me to look into enrolling in a clinical trial of new treatments?
What are the treatment options, and for each possibility, what can you tell me about:
- The risks
- Possible benefits
- Side effects

About Lifestyle Changes

How long should I expect to be in an active phase of treatment?
What limitations should I expect in my usual routine and for how long?
- How much time should I plan on taking off from work?
- Should I look into getting help around the house?
- Will the surgery affect my sex life?

About Outlook

What are my chances of being completely cured of my cancer?
Will cancer and/or the treatment affect my ability to have children?
How long do I have to wait to know how effective my treatment was?

References:

Tips for talking to your doctor. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/tips-for-talking-to-your-doctor. Updated May 2014. Accessed January 29, 2018.

What should you ask your doctor about ovarian cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/talking-with-doctor.html. Updated February 4, 2016. Accessed January 29, 2018.

Last reviewed November 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
Last Updated: 10/26/2016

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