When diagnosed with cancer it can be hard to understand all that is happening at once, so do ask your doctors and nurses any questions you may have, and don’t be afraid to repeat those questions if you forget or don’t understand the answers that were given to you. You may find it useful to write things down, or to take someone with you.
Asking direct questions
Doctors sometimes talk about a growth, tumour, lesion or ulcer without making it clear whether it’s cancer. If you find you’re confused by this, you can ask directly if it is cancer, or ask whether the growth, tumour, lesion or ulcer is malignant (cancerous) or benign (not cancerous).
When you or someone close to you is diagnosed with cancer, it can be the beginning of a storm of changing emotions and practical needs. Macmillan Cancer Support can help to calm that turmoil through a whole range of specialist services.
Accessing support
If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, you can contact the Macmillan CancerLine for practical advice and emotional support. Our advisers can help you to find information and organisations to support you and they can put you in touch with a local self help or support group and your nearest cancer information and support service.
If you are told that the results are clear and you do not have cancer you may still want to be in contact with someone.
Call freephone 0808 808 2020 or email cancerline@macmillan.org.uk
Download PDF of questions you can bring with you to doctor or hospital appointments [PDF, 32 kb]