Communicating With Your Cancer Health Care Team

Where can I find out more about communicating with my health care team?
For more information about communicating with my health care team, including suggestions for taking action and a list of resources, visit the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Why is knowing about communicating with my health care team important to being affected by cancer?
Understanding what your health care team is saying, and knowing what questions to ask them, is important to getting the best care. Some survivors feel uncomfortable or unsure about asking questions of medical professionals. A good relationship with your health care team depends on good communication.

What do I need to know about communicating with my health care team?
Your health care team is made up of doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists and any other medical professionals who care for your physical and mental health. Each member of your health care team is specially trained to treat certain aspects of your life after cancer.

Communicating with your health care team means:
• Asking them any questions you have
• Talking with them about how you feel
• Telling them about any changes in your body
• Letting them know if you have any worries or concerns that overwhelm you

For good communication, it's important that you and the members of your health care team take the time to listen to each other's questions and concerns. Sometimes members of your health care team seem very busy, like they don't have time to talk. For many survivors, the visits are often very short. It's important that you speak up and ask them to make time to answer your questions.

Preparing for your health care team visit is a very important part of good communication. You will make the most of your time in the visit if you provide clear information and ask questions when you don't understand. Being assertive and telling your health care team what your concerns are is the best way for them to understand your needs.

What steps should I take to address communicating with my health care team?
The easiest time to communicate with your health care team is during scheduled visits when you can discuss your concerns face to face. Sometimes, however, you may want to discuss things with a member of your health care team in between appointments. If it's a medical emergency, contact your health care team right away. Don't wait for your next scheduled appointment. However, if it's something that can wait, but you want to know before your next scheduled appointment, either schedule an appointment for an earlier date or ask the member of your health care team to call when they have time to discuss your concerns over the phone. You can also write a list of your questions and fax or mail this list to your health care team. They can prepare answers when they have time and then call you to discuss them.

Below is a brief list of ways to communicate:
• Use the LAF Cancer Survivor's Health Journal to prepare for your next visit with a member of your health care team
• Be active during the visit
• Clarify what the health care team tells you and agree on a treatment plan
• Bring a friend or family member with you
• Learn about the new policies related to HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
• Use an interpreter when necessary