information from your health care team

Although you may find many books, leaflets and websites on cancer, the only people who can really tell you about your illness and treatment are the members of your health care team.

If you're reading this part of our website, it may be because you don't feel your team has told you everything you need to know. Or maybe you've spoken only to your doctor so far, and you have not yet met any of the other people who may be able to help you.

There are many reasons why you and others with cancer may not have all the information you need. For example…

• When you first find out you have cancer, you may be too shocked or upset to take in what your doctor has told you. Many cancer patients say they feel like this. You may need some time to let your diagnosis sink in, before you're ready to find out more about your illness and treatment. By that stage you may feel embarrassed about going back to the doctor and asking him/her to explain things all over again.
  
  
• Communication is a skill. Health professionals are human. Some are better than others at explaining things. Please ask if there is something you don't understand. If you don't tell them you need an explanation, they may presume you understand.
  
  
• Your hospital doctor or nurse may hardly know you. S/he may not know how much information you need or want. S/he will make a judgement and may end up telling you too much all at once - or too little.
  
  
• If you're in a busy clinic or hospital ward you may worry that staff won't have the time to explain things to you. After all, they must have dozens of other patients to see. Sometimes, it may seem easier not to ask at all.
  
  
• You may not know what questions to ask. Cancer patients often say, "I didn't know what I wanted to know!" You may feel so overwhelmed that you're not sure where to start.

Nevertheless, it is worth trying to get the most from your health care team.

Remember that you have a right to as much information as you need, so that you can agree to your treatment. In this section of our website we've put together some simple tips that we hope will help you when you are…