If you're reading this part of our website, it may be because you don't feel your team has told you everything you need to know. Or maybe you've only spoken to your doctor so far, and you have not yet met any of the other people who may be able to help you.

There are many reasons why you and others with cancer may not have all the information you need. For example:

• When you first find out you have cancer, you may be too shocked or upset to take in what your doctor has told you. Many cancer patients say they feel like this. You may need some time to let your diagnosis sink in, before you're ready to find out more about your illness and treatment. By that stage you may feel embarrassed about going back to the doctor and asking him/her to explain things all over again.
   

• Communication is a skill. Health professionals are human, and some are better than others are at explaining things. A national survey has shown that many doctors and other health professionals worry about their communication skills and would like to improve them, so that they are better able to help their patients.
   

• Your hospital doctor or nurse may hardly know you. S/he may not know how much information you need or want. S/he will make a judgement, and may end up telling you too much all at once, or too little.
   

• If you're in a busy clinic or hospital ward you may worry that staff won't have the time to explain things to you. After all, they must have dozens of other patients to see. Sometimes, it may seem easier not to ask at all.
   

• You may not know what questions to ask. Cancer patients often say: 'I didn't know what I wanted to know!' You may feel so overwhelmed that you're not sure where to start.

Nevertheless, it is worth trying to get the most from your healthcare team.

You will find suggested questions you may want to ask your healthcare team under specific cancers in the Cancer types section of this site. General questions you may want to ask are:

Remember that you have a right to as much information as you need, so that you can give your consent to your treatment.