How to get your oncologist to take your symptoms seriously

Why it happens

Appointments are short, and symptoms rarely show up on the day you are seen. "I haven't felt great" is hard to act on. A specific record ("nausea at 7 out of 10 for four days after each cycle, not helped by the tablets") gives your team something concrete.

Before the appointment

1. Keep a symptom record. What, when it started, how strong from 0 to 10, what helped. Our free symptom diary takes a minute a day.
2. Write your top three concerns and put the most important one first.
3. Bring someone with you to take notes and to back you up.

In the room

• Start with your main concern, before the time runs out: "The thing I most need to talk about today is..."
• Use your record. Read out the scores and dates rather than describing from memory.
• Say what you need. "I'd like this looked into", "I'd like to understand why this is happening", or "What can we try?"
• Ask what happens next. "What should I do if it gets worse, and who do I call?"
• Ask for it to be written down, in your notes or in a letter.

If you still feel dismissed

• Talk to your oncology nurse or nurse specialist. They often have more time and can raise it with the team.
• Ask for your concern to be recorded in your file.
• Ask for a second opinion. It is a normal request, and a good team will not be offended. See 10 questions to ask your oncologist.
• Use the patient support services of your hospital (in the UK, PALS) if communication has broken down.

Urgent first. A symptom your team told you is urgent does not wait for the next appointment. Call the number you were given, day or night.