Question: My mom was just diagnosed with lung cancer. What questions should we be prepared to ask at her next doctor’s appointment?    

Answer: Receiving a lung cancer diagnosis and learning about treatment options can be scary and stressful for a person with lung cancer and their loved ones. You will receive a lot of information so bringing a list of questions with you is a good way to make sure you don’t forget to ask anything. Make sure you have space to write down the answers or bring a notebook so you can refer to it later.  

Questions you may want to ask:  

About diagnosis

  • What type of lung cancer do I have?  
  • If I have non-small cell lung cancer, has biomarker testing been done? Will the results change my treatment plan? 
  • Do I need more tests to determine the type of lung cancer I have or how to treat it? 
  • What stage is the lung cancer?  
  • If my lung cancer has spread, where else is it located in my body? 

About treatment 

  • What are my treatment options?  
  • What type of treatment do you recommend for me and why?  
  • What are the benefits and risks of my treatment options?  
  • What are the possible side effects from my treatment and how can I manage them?  
  • When do I start treatment? How long will it last? How often will I get it?  
  • Are there any clinical trials that are right for me? If so, how do I get more information?  

About support services 

  • Are there support groups available for me and my loved ones?  
  • Where can I get more information about lung cancer? 
  • Where can I get financial help?
  • Where can I get treatment-related help such as rides to appointments?  
  • Do you have a social worker or patient navigator that can help me find services or programs to meet my needs? Or can you refer me to someone? 

GO2 for Lung Cancer’s HelpLine can also help you to come up with questions to ask your doctor unique to your specific to your diagnosis and situation. Contact the HelpLine at 1-800-298-2436 or support@go2.org.  

Please note that the information included in any published answer is for educational pursuit only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult their healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Nothing from GO2 for Lung Cancer should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion.