What questions would you ask at your initial oncology appointment?

I have my initial appointment set up with my surgical oncologist for Feb 29th. I have been diagnosed from my 1st biopsy as having atypical lobular hyperplasia.

I have my questions that are really going to be based on what the actual findings were from the mamos and biopsy, treatment options etc... But I want to know questions I probably wouldn't know to ask, especially at this stage of the game. Most people have told me to go with a list of questions, and I'd like to get as much info as possible when I go.

I appreciate everyone's input.

crisagi

For those of you who don't know atypical lobular hyperplasia is considered to be a pre-cancerous breast disease, that raises your chances of getting breast cancer in either breast by up to 11 times that of a normal woman. What concerns me the most are the treatment options - since they run the gambit from taking oral meds to masectomy. If anyone has further information that can help me determine better questions for my oncologist I would appreciate it!

Is it hormonally based?
Do the benefits outweigh the risks of taking tamoxifen or and AI?
How long would I have to take any of these meds?
How often should I have some kind of screening performed?
What kind of screening?
Is there any lifestyle changes I should make?
Is there any foods I should avoid..ie. soy products?
Are there any studies that I might be interested in?

It's the best I could come up with as I had Invasive ductal carcinoma, ductal carcinoma in situ and atypical ductal hyplasia...my lobules weren't involved but it should be somewhat similar. Good luck to you. At my first appt, my onc took a complete family and personal history, went over the recent history of how I found it, what treatements to that point, how I felt, what my support system was like, what I ate, what supplements and meds I took...questions came up as he and I spoke. I took notes, he handed me papers and pamphlets.

1) how advanced is it?
2) prognosis?
3) type(s) of treatment(s)?
4) pain?
5) costs involved if any?
6) can it/where will it metastasize
7) how treatment(s) will affect you
8) ongoing medications required?
9) what caused it?
10) support services available?

I wish you the best and never give up hope!

It's always a good idea to take a trusted friend/partner with you to take notes or to support you in asking the questions you may forget. You will be given an awful lot of information and it may be more than you can absorb in one appointment.

It's also a good idea to make notes before you go and take them with you.

Good luck!

What kind of lung cancer do I have?
Has my cancer spread beyond the primary site?
What is the stage of my cancer and what does that mean in my case?
What treatment choices do I have?
What do you recommend and why?
What is my expected survival rate, based on my cancer as you see it?
(not everyone wants to ask the survival rate question)
What risks or side effects are there to the treatments you suggest?
What are the chances of recurrence of my cancer with these treatment
plans?
What should I do to be ready for treatment?

In addition to these sample questions, be sure to write down some of
your own. For instance, you might want more information about
recovery times so you can plan your work schedule. Or, you may want
to ask about second opinions or about clinical trials for which you
may qualify. You may want to ask for forms or a written dx for
insurance or work. Be sure to ask about supplements as well... they
sure
won't tell you about them if you don't ask! You may also wish to keep
a copy of each set of blood tests and scan results.

You could ask if there is a nutritionist on duty that you can speak
to. Altho I would go outside the cancer treatment center for answers
on nutrition.