Talking to Your Healthcare Provider About Ovarian Cancer

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MD [1]

You have a unique medical [11] history. Therefore, it is essential to talk with your doctor or healthcare provider about your personal risk factors and/or experience with ovarian cancer [12]. By talking openly and regularly with your healthcare provider, 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 healthcare provider:

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 Healthcare Provider

About Ovarian Cancer

Can you give me detailed information about:
- Ovarian cancer [12]
- The stage of my cancer [12]
- The grade of my cancer [12]

About Your Risk of Developing Ovarian Cancer

Given my family and medical [11] history, how great is my risk?
Should I have an ultrasound examination to make sure I don't have an early cancer [12] 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 [13]?
- Should I look into getting help around the house?

About Outlook

What are my chances of being completely cured of my cancer [12]?
Will cancer [12] and/or the treatment affect my fertility?
How long do I have to wait to know how effective my treatment was?

References:

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. McGraw-Hill; 1998.

National Cancer Institute website. Available at: cancer [14].gov/">http://www.cancer [12].gov/ .

Last reviewed April 2007 by Barbara Harty-Golder, MD, JD [15]

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical [11] advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health [16] provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical [11] condition.

Links:
[1] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/editorial-staff-and-contributors#RickerP
[2] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/conditions-indepth-ovarian-cancer-0
[3] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/risk-factors-for-ovarian-cancer
[4] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/symptoms-of-ovarian-cancer
[5] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/diagnosis-of-ovarian-cancer
[6] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/treatments-for-ovarian-cancer
[7] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/screening-for-ovarian-cancer
[8] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/reducing-your-risk-of-ovarian-cancer
[9] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/in-her-own-words-living-with-ovarian-cancer
[10] http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/resource-guide-for-ovarian-cancer
[11] http://www.thirdage.com/medical-care
[12] http://www.thirdage.com/living-with-cancer
[13] http://www.thirdage.com/money-work
[14] http://www.