Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but it’s vital to know that there are many advanced medical resources that can help you reclaim your health. The first step to establishing a path toward healing and wellness is to consult with a trusted oncologist—a specialized physician that focuses on cancer care. During this initial visit, you’ll receive a lot of critical information about your condition and the steps ahead. To help ensure that you get the most out of this consultation, here are a few crucial health care questions for your doctor.

5 Cancer Care Questions to Ask Your Oncologist

1. What Type of Cancer Do I Have?

With more than 100 types of cancer recognized today, it can be difficult to understand the specifics of your condition. Your oncologist will help review the type of cancer you have, as well as how rare it is and how it may have formed in your body. From there, you can discuss what areas of the body are most at risk from the disease.

2. How Advanced Is the Cancer?

As cancer cells multiply and attack healthy tissue, the disease becomes harder to treat. To better understand where you’re at in the process, discuss what stage your cancer is at. In some cases, additional testing may be needed to determine how advanced the disease is.

3. What Are My Treatment Options?

From chemotherapy to clinical trials, there are numerous health care solutions that can help manage and cure cancer. Find out from your oncologist what all your treatment options are, as well as what their side effects and requirements are. Since you may have various treatment paths you can follow, be sure to discuss which options are most recommended by your oncologists—and what their general outcomes are.

4. What Is My Treatment Timeline?

While no exact timeline can be predicted, your oncologist may be able to estimate how long you can expect to undergo cancer treatment. This length may be determined by the stage of the disease and the types of health care you’ll be receiving.

5. How Should I Adjust My Lifestyle?

Apart from receiving medical treatment, there are likely several lifestyle changes that your provider will recommend to improve your prognosis. For example, some individuals can improve their results if they modify their diet, manage stress, improve sleep habits, and find ways to stay moderately active.

Whether you’re concerned about your cancer risk or want to optimize your oncology care, Colquitt Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive resources to help. Based in Moultrie, GA, this medical center is staffed with experienced oncologists who understand how to guide patients through the diagnosis and treatment process. To learn more about their state-of-the-art solutions and compassionate approach to health care, visit this provider online. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, call a friendly staff member at (229) 985-2198.