Information about the surgeon
- Do you work in a multidisciplinary team (MDT)?
- Do you specialise in this type of surgery? How were you trained?
- How many times have you done this surgery?
- Which hospitals do you operate in?
Treatment choice
- Why do I need surgery?
- Are there other treatment choices for me?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of surgery for me?
- How successful is this type of surgery for this type of cancer?
- Are there clinical practice guidelines on how to treat this type of cancer?
- How much does the surgery cost? Are there any out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Medicare or my private health cover?
- Are there extra costs I should know about, such as costs related to anaesthesia?
- Can the cost be reduced if I can’t afford it?
- Can I get a second opinion?
- How long do I have to make a decision?
- Will I need other treatment before or after surgery?
- Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could join?
The surgery
- How can I prepare myself for surgery and improve my recovery?
- What type of surgery will I have (e.g. open surgery or keyhole surgery)?
- What exactly will you do during the operation? Will you remove part of the tumour or all of the cancer?
- How long will the surgery take?
- Could your plans for the surgery change? Why?
- What anaesthetic will I receive? How will it be given?
- When will I meet the anaesthetist?
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