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To assist you to prepare yourself at home and with the help of relatives and friends for your next visit to CIO or a doctor elsewhere, we have put together a series of questions based on our experience, the answers to which may be important for you.

Questions to...

• Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
• Investigations and Tests
• Treatment
• Medication
• Side Effects
• Clinical Studies
• Support and Offers of Assistance (e.g. Self-Help Groups)

• Which therapy options are available for my cancer condition?
• Which advantages and/ or risks do the different treatment options have?
• How will my illness develop most likely in the future?
• Will my family doctor be involved in the management of my cancer?
• Is it possible a family member will get the same illness?
• Can a relative or friend accompany me to see a doctor?
• I have diabetes, what influence does this have on the treatment options?
• What influence has my __________( insert what is appropriate for your query)
• Do I have to change my life style?
• How quickly must I make a decision regarding the suggested treatment?

• What investigation is carried out/ is planned?
• Is the examination painful?
• Why is this investigation necessary?
• Will the investigation be repeated at CIO although it has already been conducted by my specialist?  
• Is the investigation reliable and safe?
• Is the investigation important for my future treatment?
• Will I also always need further investigations during my treatment?
• When will the results be discussed with me?
• Do I receive the result immediately after the investigation?
• Who can I call in case I have more questions about an investigation?

• Which treatment do you recommend for me?
• What advantages has the treatment at CIO?
• Can I be treated better at CIO than in the hospital where I live?
• Will my family doctor also treat me whilst I am treated at CIO?
• How is my family doctor informed about the treatment I received at CIO?
• Does the treatment lead to a limitation of my physical activity?
• What can be done about pain?
• What happens if I stop the treatment ?
• Do I have to change my diet during treatment?
• Is it possible that my treatment might be stopped, and are there any other options available?
• Do I have to tell my family doctor which additional medication I take?
• What alternative therapies are available, and can I receive these in parallel?
• Whom can I contact when I feel unwell during my treatment?
• Do I get a ‚Therapy Pass‘ which records all my treatment?

• What is this drug for?
• What do I have to consider when taking this medication?     
• When does the medication begin to work?
• How long do I have to take this medication?
• Is this medication compatible with the other drugs I take?
• Can I stop the medication if I feel better or worse?

• Will there be side effects during the treatment
• Can I reduce the side effects if I avoid certain food and drinks?
• Do I have to report side effects as soon as I experience any?
• Whom can I call if I experience side effects and my next CIO appointment is days away?
• Are there medications which reduce side effects?  
• Are the drugs I take for my primary illness compatible with the medication I take for my cancer?

• What is a clinical study?
• Why do I need to be treated in this study, what are my alternatives?
• How will I be treated in this study?
• Which additional investigations/tests are  planned/intended in this study?
• What possible advantages do I have by participating in this clinical study?
• Can the treatment be given as an outpatient or does it require  a hospital admission?
• Will my personal data be handled confidentially?
• Is my treating CIO doctor aware of all clinical studies that might be relevant to my situation?

• Can I call the Patient Navigators during times when I have no CIO appointment?
• Will I be given telephone numbers I can call if I feel unwell?
• To whom can I turn once my treatment at CIO is completed?
• Do I receive a ‘Follow-up Pass’ to remind me of aftercare appointments?
• Where do I find information on learning to cope with my illness?
• How can I access psychological support?
• Who can provide me with information about self-help groups in my area?
• Who supports me in social-legal matters?
• Can I still play sport in spite of my cancer?