Questions to ask: Colorectal cancer

Diagnosis

• Is my cancer in the colon or the rectum? If rectum, how close is it to the anus?
• What stage is my cancer, and how sure are we about the stage right now?
• Is my tumor on the right side or the left side of the colon, and does that matter for me?
• Has my tumor been tested for MMR/MSI? What was the result?
• If my cancer has spread, has it been tested for RAS, BRAF, and HER2?
• Should I have genetic testing for Lynch syndrome or other inherited conditions?
• Do my children, brothers, or sisters need earlier colonoscopy or genetic testing?
• Has the cancer spread to my liver, lungs, or anywhere else?
• If it has spread, could surgery to remove those spots be an option for me?
• What is the goal of my treatment: cure, control, or comfort?
• Is my care team experienced in treating colorectal cancer, and should I get a second opinion?
• Will a team of specialists (surgery, medical oncology, radiation) review my case together?

Before

• What treatment do you recommend, and why is it the best fit for me?
• For rectal cancer: will I get chemotherapy and radiation before surgery (total neoadjuvant therapy)?
• Could I skip radiation, or skip surgery with a watch-and-wait plan, if my tumor responds well?
• My tumor is dMMR/MSI-high. Is immunotherapy an option for me instead of, or before, other treatment?
• Will I need an ostomy? Will it be temporary or permanent?
• Have I been tested for DPYD before starting 5-FU or capecitabine?
• How will treatment affect my fertility and sex life, and should I see a fertility specialist first?
• Do I need a port for chemotherapy? How will the 5-FU pump work at home?
• How long will treatment last, and how often will I come in?
• What side effects are most likely with my plan, and how can we prevent them?
• Is there a clinical trial that fits my situation?
• As a caregiver, what should I watch for, and who do I call after hours?

During

• How will we know if the treatment is working? When is my next scan or CEA test?
• My hands and feet are numb or tingly. Should we change or stop the oxaliplatin?
• What should I do if I have diarrhea, and when should I call?
• What should I eat and drink while on treatment?
• Can I take a break from treatment, or switch to a lighter maintenance plan?
• What are my options if this treatment stops working?
• Are there targeted drugs that match my tumor's gene results?
• Can I work, exercise, or travel during treatment?
• Which of my other medicines or supplements could interact with my treatment?
• Can I be referred to palliative care to help with symptoms?
• Is there a social worker who can help with costs, rides, or time off work?

After

• What is my follow-up schedule for visits, CEA tests, scans, and colonoscopies?
• What signs of cancer coming back should I watch for?
• If I am on watch-and-wait, how often will I need exams and MRI scans, and what happens if the tumor regrows?
• Will the numbness in my feet or my bowel changes get better? What can help?
• Can I be referred to pelvic floor therapy or an ostomy nurse?
• What exercise and diet changes would help me most?
• When should my family members start colonoscopy screening?
• Who will be my main doctor for follow-up care?
• Is there a survivorship clinic or support group you recommend?

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.