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You've recently been told you have cancer. If you are like most people, you are feeling totally overwhelmed right now. And you have questions: Who should treat me? Where will I be treated? What are the best treatments for me? What do I have to do, and how do I put my life on hold while I do it all? And you know you have to get the answers to these questions, but don't know whom to ask or where to start.

Here are some questions you might want to ask. Be sure to add your own questions as you think of them well. Nurses, social workers, and other members of the treatment team may also be able to answer many of your questions.

• What kind of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer do I have?
  
• Has my cancer spread beyond the primary site?
  
• What is the stage of my cancer?
  
• What does the staging mean in my case?
  
• What treatment choices do I have?
  
• If you were to have treatment, what kind would you choose?
  
• Based on what you've learned about my cancer, how long do you think I will survive?
  
• What side effects can I expect from my treatment?
  
• What are the other risks of treatment?
  
• How long will it take me to recover from treatment?
  
• When can I go back to work after treatment?
  
• What are the chances that my cancer will recur?
  
• Does one type of treatment reduce the risk of recurrence more than another does?
  
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
  
• Should I get a second opinion?

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Five Basic Steps
This document describes five basic steps to help you cope with your diagnosis, make decisions, and get on with your life.
Step 1: Take the time you need. Do not rush important decisions about your health. In most cases, you will have time to carefully examine your options and decide what is best for you.
Step 2: Get the support you need. Look for support from family and friends, people who are going through the same thing you are, and those who have "been there." They can help you cope with your situation and make informed decisions.
Step 3: Talk with your doctor. Good communication with your doctor can help you feel more satisfied with the care you receive. Research shows it can even have a positive effect on things such as symptoms and pain. Getting a "second opinion" may help you feel more confident about your care.
Step 4: Seek out information. When learning about your health problem and its treatment, look for information that is based on a careful review of the latest scientific findings published in medical journals.
Step 5: Decide on a treatment plan. Work with your doctor to decide on a treatment plan that best meets your needs.
As you take each step, remember this: Research shows that patients who are more involved in their health care tend to get better results and be more satisfied.