Share this

Talking to Your Doctor About Lung Cancer Screening

Talking to a Loved One About Lung Cancer Screening

Medical appointments can be overwhelming, but conversations with your doctor shouldn’t be. Use this tip sheet to help you prepare to talk to your doctor about lung cancer screening during your next appointment.

Did you know?

Most people don’t experience lung cancer symptoms until the cancer is advanced. Yearly screening can help save lives by finding lung cancer earlier, before it has spread. The earlier the stage the better chance of a cure.

Go Prepared:


A few days before your appointment, take some time to collect important information in a folder or a notebook. Doing this will help you feel confident and prepared to talk to your doctor.

Think about the kind of questions you’d like to ask your doctor and write them down to take with you to your appointment. See the last page of this guide for some ideas to get you started.

Make notes about any changes in your health or routine, like sleep, diet or exercise tolerance. This can ensure you won’t forget anything you want to discuss and give your doctor an overall picture of your health.

Talk to your family to learn more about their medical history. This can help your doctor assess if you have a higher risk for lung cancer or other diseases.

Always be honest:

You know yourself best – your habits, your lifestyle, how you’re feeling. Being open with your doctor will help them provide the best care.

Most people with early stages of lung cancer don’t experience symptoms. But if you do notice any changes in your health, be sure to share your symptoms with your doctor even if you think it may be embarrassing or unnecessary. No one knows your body better than you, so speak up and let your doctor know how you are really feeling

Let your doctor know if you currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. The greatest risk for lung cancer is a history of smoking, so be honest about your smoking habits. It is crucial information for your doctor to understand.

Don’t let fear prevent you from talking about your lifestyle, diet, alcohol consumption or non-prescribed drugs. Your doctor is there to help you and can best help if they have a full view of your issues and needs.

Talking to your doctor about lung cancer can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. Arriving prepared can help relieve some of your stress and help you to have a more productive conversation with your doctor.

Talking to your doctor about lung cancer can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. Arriving prepared can help relieve some of your stress and help you to have a more productive conversation with your doctor.

Speak up for yourself:


Take control of your health. Speaking up for yourself and working with your doctor to make health care decisions that are right for you are all critical pieces to getting your best health care.

Try to take notes during the appointment or ask your doctor if you can record the conversation on your phone. This can help you digest what your doctor is saying and give you something to refer to after you leave the office.

Bring a family member or loved one with you for extra support. They can also jot down answers to your questions and make sure you don’t miss any important information.

Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion.

Tell your doctor about your concerns and ask for all your options so that you can agree on what will work best for you.

If you do not understand what your doctor is saying, ask them to explain it again. Your doctor is there to guide you and help you understand what is going on. They want you to speak up if you’re feeling confused.

Unsure of where to start?

Here are some questions you could ask your doctor about lung cancer and lung cancer screenings:

References:

  1. American Cancer Society. Lung Cancer Risk Factors. Available in: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/risk-factors.html. Date: October 1, 2019. Citation date: December 19, 2022.
  2. American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer. Available in:https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html Date: October 1, 2019. Citation date:December 19, 2022
  3. American Lung Association. Lung Cancer Key Findings. Available in: State of Lung Cancer | Key Findings |
  4. American Lung Association. Date:November 17, 2022. Citation date: December 19, 2022 American Lung Association. What to Expect from a Lung Cancer Screening. Available in: What to Expect from a Lung Cancer Screening | SavedBy The Scan | American Lung Association. Citation date: December 19, 2022
  5. CANCERCARE. Communicating With Your Health Care Team. Available in:https://media.cancercare.org/publications/original/6-2020_Communicating_With_Your_Health_Care_Team.pdf Date: 11,20. Citation date:December 19, 2022
  6. Jyoti Patel, MD, FASCO. What Is Scanxiety? How People With Cancer and Survivors Can Cope. Available in:https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/talking-doctor/lung-cancer-screening-questions-doctor. Date: October 28, 2021. Citationdate: December 19, 2022
  7. US Department of Health and Human Services. Lung Cancer Screening: Quesgtions for the Doctor. Available in:https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/talking-doctor/lung-cancer-screening-questions-doctor. Citation date: December 19, 2022
  8. Medline Plus. Why is it important to know my family health history?. Available in:https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/inheritance/familyhistory/. Citation date: January 16, 2023
  1. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Caregiving – taking your loved one to the doctor. Available in:https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/caregiving-taking-your-loved-one-to-the-doctor. Citation date: December 19,2022 Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Caregiving – taking your loved one to the doctor. Available in:https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-prepare-doctors-appointment. Citation date: December 19, 2022
  2. UNC Health Talk. Why It’s Important to Be Honest with Your Provider—and How to Do It. Available in:https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/why-its-important-to-be-honest-with-your-provider-and-how-to-do-it/. Citation date: January 16, 2023
  3. US Preventive Services. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Issues Final Recommendation Statement on Screening for Lung Cancer. Availablein: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/sites/default/files/file/supporting_documents/lung-cancer-newsbulletin.pdf.Citation date: January 16, 2023
  4. Susan Bernstein. Be Your Own Health Advocate Available in: https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/aging-health-advocate. Date: March 23, 2022
  5. Kells McPhillips. A No-Nonsense Script To Help You Be Your Best Advocate at Your Next Doctor’s Appointment. Available in:https://www.wellandgood.com/how-advocate-yourself-doctor/. Date: August 25, 2020. Citation date: December 19, 2022.