Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer may find themselves having many questions.

The following list may be helpful for patients when thinking about what they want to ask their doctor about your illness and treatment.

Patients need to understand that their doctor is there for them. If they don't understand answers given, they should not be afraid to ask again.

1. What type of pancreatic cancer do I have?
2. What is my prognosis?
3. Is my cancer hereditary?
4. What treatments do you recommend and why?
5. What are the side effects of each treatment?
6. Are there any other treatments that should be considered that you do not provide?
7. How will treatment affect day-to-day life, will I be able to do the things I normally do?
8. What would happen if I decided not to have treatment?
9. What are the costs involved?
10. Have you had much success with treating patients with pancreatic cancer in the past?
11. What was the outcome for these patients that you've treated previously?
12. Am I able to talk with some of your patients about their experiences?
13. If having surgery:
1. Who will my surgeon be?
2. How many patients has he/she operated on with pancreatic cancer?
3. What should I expect after surgery?
4. How much pain will I be in?
5. How long will I be in hospital for?
6. How will my diet change following surgery?
14. Are there any clinical trials that I should be aware of?
15. If I want a second opinion, can you refer me to another specialist?

This list is provided by the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative.

For more information:
Support for people with pancreatic cancer