What should I bring to my first oncology appointment for Prostate Cancer

What to Bring to Your First Prostate Cancer Oncology Appointment

Your first appointment with an oncologist is an important step in your care. Being prepared helps your doctor understand your complete medical picture and make the best recommendations for you. Here's what to bring:

Essential [ID removed]

Previous Test Results & Imaging:

• Your pathology report from the prostate biopsy (this shows the Gleason score and other cancer characteristics)
• PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test results and dates
• Any imaging reports (MRI, ultrasound, CT scans, bone scans, or PSMA PET scans if you've had them)
• Records from your urologist or other doctors who've evaluated you

Medical History Documents:

• A summary of any previous surgeries, treatments, or procedures you've had
• Records from any other cancer screenings or diagnoses
• Hospital discharge summaries if applicable

Medication & Supplement Information

According to the NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Early-Stage Prostate Cancer, this is particularly important:

"Bring a list of old and new medicines and any over-the-counter medicines, herbals, or supplements you take. Some of these (such as saw palmetto or St. John's wort) can cause changes in your PSA level, so your doctor needs to know if you're taking them."

Specifically bring:

• A written list of ALL current medications (prescription and over-the-counter)
• All vitamins, herbs, and supplements you're taking
• Dosages and how often you take each one
• Bring the actual bottles if possible—this helps your doctor verify dosages

Family History Information

The NCCN Guidelines emphasize that your care team will ask about family medical history. Come prepared with:

• Cancer history: Which family members (blood relatives) have had cancer, what type, and at what age they were diagnosed
• Other health conditions: Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or other significant illnesses in your family
• Both sides of your family: Information from your mother's side AND your father's side

Personal Health Information

• A list of any chronic health conditions you have (heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.)
• Previous surgeries and when they occurred
• Any allergies to medications
• Your general health and fitness level

Insurance & Practical Documents

• Insurance card and photo ID
• A list of questions you want to ask (see below)
• A notebook or device to take notes during the appointment
• Contact information for your primary care doctor

Questions to Ask Your Oncology Team

According to the NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Early-Stage Prostate Cancer, here are important questions about your care team's experience:

1. Are you board certified? If yes, in what area?
2. What is your experience and your team's experience with treating my type of prostate cancer?
3. How many patients like me (of the same age, race) have you treated?
4. Will you be consulting with experts to discuss my care? Who will you consult?
5. Is my treatment or procedure a major part of your practice? How often have you done this in the last year?
6. How many of your patients have had complications? What were they?

Questions about testing:

• What tests will I need?
• Do the tests have any risks?
• Will my insurance pay for all recommended tests?
• How soon will I know the results and who will explain them to me?
• How can I get a copy of my pathology report and test results?

Optional But Helpful

• A trusted family member or friend to attend the appointment with you (they can help take notes and ask questions)
• A calendar to schedule follow-up appointments
• Information about your work schedule if treatment timing matters

Why This Matters

Your oncologist needs complete information to:

• Understand your full medical history
• Avoid drug interactions with your current medications
• Assess your overall health and ability to tolerate treatment
• Make personalized recommendations based on your specific situation
• Identify any inherited cancer risk factors that might affect your treatment

The NCCN Guidelines emphasize: "Your care team needs to have all your health information. They'll ask you about any health problems and treatments you've had in your life. Be prepared to talk about any illness or injury you've had and when it happened."

---

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.