Conversation Checklist

Questions about lung cancer to ask your doctor to help make the most out of your visit.

Talking to Your Doctor About Lung Cancer

Every person with lung cancer is different, but patients often have many questions in common.

Whether you are newly diagnosed or have tried a few different therapies, knowing about different options and having a plan of action can help make the treatment process less overwhelming.

Click on the relevant situation below for some suggested questions that can help make the most out of your doctor visits and help you get the information you are looking for about your disease and treatment plan. Click “print or download” to make yourself a copy of your questions. Be sure to bring your questions with you to your next visit.

Featured Advocacy Partner

If you have other questions about your lung cancer diagnosis and how to move forward, check out our partner LUNGevity for more information here.

This website is neither owned nor controlled by Pfizer. Pfizer does not endorse and is not responsible for the content or services of this site.

Biomarker testing provides information that can help your doctor determine an appropriate course of treatment based on the type of lung cancer you have.

Here are questions to ask your doctor about biomarker testing and how it may play a role in your treatment.

Newly diagnosed with lung cancer

What type of lung cancer do I have?
What stage is my lung cancer?
Should my tumor be tested for biomarkers?
What other type of health care professionals or specialists will be part of my cancer care team?
How will each member of my care team take part in my treatment plan?
What kind of activities can I continue to engage in? Are there activities I’ll need to limit or stop doing?

Getting Treatment for Lung Cancer for the First Time

Do I need surgery? What is the recovery like?
What are the treatment options for my lung cancer? What are the pros and cons of each? How will it be decided what type of treatment I should get?
Has my tumor been tested for any biomarkers? How does this impact my treatment?
When and how do I take my medicine, and at what dose?
What side effects might I experience from my treatment? What should I do if I experience side effects?
Are there any clinical trials that I may be able to take part in?
How will I know if my treatment is working?
Are there any other ongoing tests I’ll need during treatment?
Has my lung cancer spread to other parts of my body? If so, how does that effect my treatment?

Getting treatment for lung cancer that has returned or did not respond to prior treatment

Has my lung cancer spread to other parts of my body? If so, how does that affect my treatment?
What are my treatment options now that my cancer has returned/did not respond to my treatment?
Has my tumor been tested for any biomarkers?
How is my new treatment different from the last one I received?
Should I expect similar or different side effects than my last treatment?
Are there any clinical trials that I may be able to take part in?
How will I know if my treatment is working?
How often will I get checked to see if this treatment is working?
Are there any other ongoing tests I’ll need during treatment?

SELECT ALL

Print or download and bring to your doctor

Return to plan page

Conversation Checklist

Featured Advocacy Partner

Share

Related Content