Questions to Bring — Before Your First Chemotherapy Session

It is not rude, and any oncologist or centre that treats your questions as an inconvenience is telling you something important about how they work. Informed consent requires that you understand what you are agreeing to, and asking for that understanding is part of the process, not a challenge to the doctor's authority. Bring a written list so you do not forget your questions when you are nervous, and ask if you can record the answers.

Yes, and it is strongly advisable. A family member or trusted friend can listen while you focus on the conversation, remember answers you forget under stress, and ask follow-up questions you do not think of in the moment. Tell the reception desk when you book that you will be bringing someone, so the room and timing can accommodate it.

Ask your oncologist to explain why it changed and what it changed to. Changes to a regimen before treatment starts are not unusual — they may reflect new test results, a change in your blood counts, or updated guidance. What matters is that you understand the change and the reason before the infusion begins, not after. If the explanation is not clear, ask for it in writing.

Ask directly. A centre giving chemotherapy should have emergency medicines and resuscitation equipment on site and a clear protocol for managing severe reactions. The staff administering the infusion should be trained in recognising and responding to acute reactions including anaphylaxis. If the centre cannot confirm this clearly, that is worth taking seriously before you consent to treatment there.

Yes, ask. A biosimilar is a version of a biological drug developed after the original patent expired. Regulatory bodies such as CDSCO approve biosimilars only when they meet standards for comparable safety and effectiveness to the originator. Most oncology regimens in India use approved biosimilars for several drugs. Ask your oncologist to name the specific drug, confirm whether it is a biosimilar, and explain why it was chosen. You are entitled to that answer.

Ask the centre whether they have a financial counsellor or social worker who helps patients with payment planning. Ask whether government schemes such as Aarogyasri, PM-JAY, or your state-specific insurance cover any part of your treatment and whether the centre is empanelled for those schemes. Your oncologist may also be able to discuss whether there are regimens that achieve a similar aim at a different cost — that is a legitimate question to raise.