Uterine Cancer: Preparing for Treatment

Many people with cancer want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices so they can take an active part in decisions about their medical care. When a woman learns she has uterine cancer, shock and stress are natural reactions. These feelings may make it difficult for her to think of everything she may want to ask the doctor. Often, it helps to make a list of questions. To help remember what the doctor says, a woman may take notes or ask whether she may use a tape recorder. Some patients find it helpful to have a family member or friend with them when talking to the doctor to participate in the discussion, take notes, or just listen.

These are some questions a woman may want to ask the doctor:

• What kind of uterine cancer do I have?
• Is there any evidence the cancer has spread? What is the stage of the disease?
• What is the tumor grade?
• What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
• What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
• What is the treatment likely to cost?
• How will treatment affect my normal activities?
• How often should I have a checkup?
• Would a treatment study be appropriate for me?

Women do not need to ask all their questions or understand all the answers at once. They will have many chances to ask the doctor to explain things that are not clear and to ask for more information.

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