What questions should I ask my oncologist
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For informational purposes only
This answer was generated by AI grounded in NCCN guidelines and published medical literature. It is not medical advice. Always consult your oncologist or care team before making treatment decisions.
Sources & medical oversight
- Grounded in NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Colon Cancer — the same guidelines oncologists use.
- Developed under the medical oversight of OpenCancer’s physician-scientist team (Chris Apfel, MD/PhD/MBA, CMO · Kaumudi Bhawe, PhD, CSO).
- Last updated September 2, 2026. Informational only — not a substitute for your oncology team.
Questions to Ask Your Colorectal Cancer Oncologist
I'd be happy to help you prepare for your appointment. To give you the most relevant questions, it would help to know:
What's your current situation?
- Are you newly diagnosed?
- Starting treatment soon?
- Already in treatment and want to discuss next steps?
- Looking at test results?
In the meantime, here are core questions colorectal cancer patients typically ask:
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About your cancer: What stage is my cancer? Has it spread? What are the key genetic markers (like MSI, dMMR, KRAS, BRAF)?
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About treatment: What treatment do you recommend for me specifically? Why this approach? What are the side effects I should expect?
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About testing: Have you done genomic testing on my tumor? If not, should we? (This can reveal treatment options.)
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About options: Are there clinical trials I might qualify for? What about newer drugs or combinations?
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About monitoring: How will we track if treatment is working? How often will we scan/test?
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About support: Do you have integrative oncology services (nutrition, exercise, mental health support)?
Share your specific situation — whether it's about test results, treatment decisions, or something else — and I can help you develop more targeted questions for your care team.
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.
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NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Colon Cancer (2026)Browse all NCCN Guidelines for Patients →Have your records handy? Upload them for a deeper, personalized analysis →