Questions to Ask — Before Chemotherapy Starts

This is the most important question on the list. The answer tells you whether the goal is to eliminate the cancer, reduce the chance of it returning after surgery, or manage it over time. Each intent leads to a different kind of plan and a different way of thinking about side effects. If the answer is unclear, say so directly: are we aiming to eliminate this, or to control it? Both are valid answers, and you deserve a clear one.

Ask for the planned number of cycles and when the first response assessment will happen. Ask what the assessment will look at and what the possible outcomes are. Knowing the plan in full helps you pace yourself — physically, emotionally, and practically. It also means you are not hearing about a scan for the first time the day before it happens.

Ask your oncologist to name the effects most likely with your treatment plan — not everything ever reported, but the ones your team expects to manage for someone with your treatment and your health. Ask what you should watch for that needs a same-day call, and what is normal enough to manage at home with guidance. Write the answer down on the same day you hear it.

Ask directly: can I work during treatment, and if so, for how long each week? Are there foods or supplements to avoid? Is travel safe between cycles? If you take any Ayurvedic, herbal, or other traditional preparations, tell your team now, before treatment begins. Do not stop or start anything without telling your oncologist — this is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself safe during chemotherapy.

Ask for the total estimated cost of a full course, including medicines given alongside chemotherapy, blood tests between cycles, and response-assessment scans. Ask what your insurance covers and whether anything needs pre-authorisation. The answer may be an estimate rather than a fixed figure, but an honest estimate helps you plan. Ask who to speak to about the financial side if the consultation itself is not the right time to go through the detail.

Before you leave the appointment, get a specific contact — not a general helpline, but the number your team wants you to use between cycles. Ask what signs mean a call right now, and what can safely wait. Fever during your nadir window is one answer that should always come up. Write the contact details on the same page as everything else, and make sure someone else in your household has them too.