Preparing for Prostate Cancer Second Opinion Appointment
Tips & Questions to Ask
After you or a loved one have gotten over the initial shock of a prostate cancer diagnosis, you may decide that scheduling a second opinion is the next best step to ensure you get an accurate diagnosis and understand all your treatment options.
As you look forward to your appointment, remember that getting a second or even a third opinion, especially after a prostate cancer diagnosis, is key to understanding all you can about your condition and treatment options so you can feel confident in making the best care decisions to fit your needs.
To help you prepare, here are a few tips and questions you may want to consider to make the most of your upcoming appointment.
Tips:
Plan to take a trusted friend or family member with you.
This is critical. Memory retention is only 10% and even less when you are stressed. So, chances are you will not remember everything the doctor said or that you wanted to ask during the appointment.
Having someone there with you to be ‘another set of eyes and ears’ can make a world of difference and will help you ensure you both heard the same information, allow you to go over options, and, if appropriate, ask for their input and opinion.
Once you've found someone to go with you, let them know what questions you want to ask before the appointment and have them take notes during the appointment. This way, they can help remind you of your questions if needed, record the answers, and you can sit and discuss it together after the appointment to ensure that you have and understand all of the information discussed.
Record the conversation
At the beginning of your appointment, ask the doctor if you can record the conversation, and once you get the ok, pull out your smartphone and record it! Then you can play it back at your leisure and discuss it with your family and the person who accompanied you to the appointment. This will allow you to review key issues, playback critical discussions, and not miss anything as you move forward!
By the way, many expert physicians endorse the idea of recording the discussion at a doctor's appointment, so don’t be afraid to ask!
Get Organized
Start a notebook or binder to coordinate appointments, doctors’ phone numbers, and the information you collect along the way. Take it with you to each medical appointment, and keep notes on your test results and treatment options. You can also use it to start a running list of questions to ask your doctor on your next visit.
Get copies of everything! It is a key part of keeping up with your condition. And you have the right to request copies of your medical records.
Here are some key medical records to always ask for and keep on file:
- Pathology Report
- Biopsy Report
- Imaging Reports (PET/CT/MRI/XRays)
- Doctors’ Notes (Office Or Progress Notes)
Prepare a list of questions to ask. To help with this, we have provided a suggested list of questions to consider below, or you can download ShareMD's "Ten questions to ask after a prostate cancer diagnosis" to take with you to your next appointment.
Do you still, have questions about preparing for a second opinion appointment or navigating care? Schedule a free call with a ShareMD Nurse Education Team member specializing in prostate cancer.