By Hannah Hoag

Thinking It Through

By Hannah Hoag

If you've been diagnosed with advanced cancer, it's time to start asking questions. "There isn't one correct way to talk with your doctor, but if you say you've been thinking about what will happen if the treatments don't work, it should open the door for a discussion," says Esme Finlay of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Here are some questions that may help you start a dialogue:

• What is my life expectancy?
• Will treatment shrink the tumor or prolong my life?
• What are the side effects of treatment, and how will they affect my quality of life?
• Am I going to die from this disease? If so, how will I die?
• What are the financial concerns of seeking further treatment?