• Why are you recommending surgery in my case?

• How much do you know about my cancer from the tests I've had so far?

• Who will be carrying out my operation?

• What experience has the surgeon had in dealing with similar cases?

• What will the operation involve?

• What are the benefits of having this operation?

• What are the risks?

• What will happen to me if I don't have this operation?

• Are there any other treatment options?

• How will I prepare for the operation?

• Where will I have the operation?

• How long will I have to stay in hospital?

• How long will it take me to recover from the physical effects of the operation?

• How might the operation affect me emotionally? How have other patients tended to feel afterwards?

• Will I need further surgery or other treatments afterwards?

• What are the chances of this surgery curing my cancer?

• How soon will it be before you can tell me how successful the surgery has been?

• What follow-up checks will I need to have after my surgery?

• How will the surgery affect my everyday life afterwards? Are there things that I will no longer be able to do?

• Who can I talk with if I need more information or have any questions? Is there a clinical nurse specialist available?

• Would it be possible for me to talk with someone who has already been through this operation?

Remember that you must consent to treatment before it can go ahead.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to, so that you feel comfortable about agreeing to treatment.