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Being diagnosed with colorectal cancer can leave you very frightened, overwhelmed, and anxious. Your mind may feel like it’s racing in a million different directions as you wonder what lies ahead and how you will manage it all.
Most of all, you will have many questions about your diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. The list below is a good way to organize your thoughts when talking to your provider.
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Top Ten Questions to Ask Your Doctor: When You’re Newly Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer
- What type of cancer do I have?
- What stage is my cancer? [link to this term in glossary]
- What is my prognosis? [link to this term in glossary]
- Will I need more surgery?
- What are the treatment options?
- Which treatment options do you believe are the best ones for me – and why?
- What will be the side effects of my treatment?
- How will my treatment affect my ability to work and do other activities?
- Are there clinical trials [link to this term in glossary] that I should consider?
- If I would like a second opinion, how do I go about it?
More tips: Remember to take a pen and notebook to your appointments so that you can take notes. It’s also a good idea to have a trusted friend or family member with you during your doctor visits. This not only gives you great emotional support but also provides another set of ears to listen to what your doctor says.
Top resources
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Meet Paige Edmonds, a social worker behind the Alliance's helpline — and the personal loss that led her there.
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The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is urging Americans to prioritize colorectal cancer screening, as the American Cancer Society (ACS) released updated guidelines today.
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A blood test that sees what scans can't
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