Patient information from BMJ

Pancreas cancer: questions to ask your doctor

Last published:Nov 16, 2023

Being diagnosed with a serious illness such as pancreas cancer can be a shock. You may find it hard to think of everything you want to ask your doctor.

It might help to make a list of questions before your appointment. You could also take notes during your visit, or bring a close friend or relative with you to ask questions and jot down information.

Here are some questions you may want to ask.

General questions

• How advanced is my disease? What is the stage of my cancer?

• Has my cancer spread?

• Do I need more tests to check if it has spread?

• What treatment choices do I have?

• Can you operate?

• Will you be able to help with my symptoms (such as pain)?

• What help or support can I get to help me cope?

• Can I get help with my diet and exercise?

Questions about surgery

• Why do you think I should (or shouldn’t) have surgery?

• Will surgery mean I live longer?

• What kind of operation do you recommend?

• What are the risks of surgery?

• Where would I go to have surgery? Is it a specialist centre?

• How will I feel after the operation?

• Will it be painful afterwards? And how can this be treated?

• Will I need to change my diet?

• How long will I be in hospital?

• When will I get back to my normal activities?

Questions about medicines and other treatments

• What treatments do you recommend?

• Why do I need these treatments? What are the benefits?

• Will they help me live longer or will they just help my symptoms?

• What are the side effects of these treatments?

• Can the side effects be treated?

• How should I expect to feel during treatment?

• How will treatment affect my normal activities?

• How long will treatment go on?

• Will I need to be treated in hospital or can I have treatment as an outpatient?

• How will I know if the treatment is working?

• Are there any clinical trials I could join?