Your Colon Cancer Surgeon: Questions You Need to Ask
One of the best things you can do for your health, particularly when dealing with cancer, is to keep an open line of communication with your health care providers. You will be faced with many important decisions, and just being diagnosed with cancer alone can often be overwhelming and cause some people to feel helpless. By partnering with your colon cancer surgeon you will regain some feeling of control over your health, and also be able to take an active role in your treatment and care.
During an appointment with your colon cancer surgeon, ask all of the questions that you can think of, and be sure to voice any concerns that you may have. Some people bring along a friend or family member to help remember instructions or information given by the doctor. It’s also a good idea to make a list of everything you’d like to ask to ensure that you don’t forget something important. Some colon cancer patients ask their doctor if they can bring along a hand-held tape recorder so that they’re sure not to miss anything. This is also helpful to review what was said later or to play for a family member who was unable to attend the appointment.
The following is a list of vital questions to ask your colon cancer surgeon regarding your prognosis, the operation, and your follow-up care.
1. Are you a board certified surgeon, and in which states?
2. How many surgeries have you performed on patients with colon cancer?
3. Can you determine how far has my colon cancer spread?
4. Can you tell me what my chances for recovery are?
5. Is there a chance I will need a colostomy, and if so, will it be permanent?
6. What type of specialists will I need to see for my follow-up care and treatment?
7. What are my options for post-operative treatments? Will I need chemotherapy, radiotherapy?
8. How soon should I be screened again for cancer?
9. Is there anything I can do to prevent or minimize the risk of the cancer from returning?
10. Are there any additional resources or colon cancer support groups that you can recommend?
The following is a list of questions that patients can discuss with their surgeon about minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for the treatment of colon cancer. This will help determine the surgeon’s qualifications as well as your eligibility for this type of procedure.
1. Are you a board certified surgeon, and in which states?
2. Have you ever performed minimally invasive surgery for colon cancer?
3. How many laparoscopic surgeries for colon cancer have you performed?
4. Have you received additional training specifically dealing with laparoscopic techniques and procedures?
5. Are there any common complications you have encountered when performing this type of surgery?
6. What is the average outcome for patients following this type of surgery?
7. Am I an eligible candidate for having this type of surgery for colon cancer?
8. Can you tell me the risks associated with this type of procedure for treating colon cancer?
9. What is the general recovery time following minimally invasive colon cancer surgery?
10. What are the benefits to having this type of surgery to treat colon cancer as opposed to other methods?
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