Tips for Talking to Your Doctor About Renal Cell Carcinoma
Make the most of your appointments after a kidney cancer diagnosis.

After a diagnosis of kidney cancer, you’re going to have a lot of questions and hear a lot of information. You might hear words that are unfamiliar to you, or be asked to make decisions about things you don’t fully understand. This can certainly be overwhelming.
It’s important to remember that your doctor is there to help guide you through it one day at a time. If you don’t understand something, it’s your doctor’s job to help. However, this does mean you may need to speak up or be an advocate for yourself to make sure your questions are heard, and you get the answers you need.
To make the most of your appointments and have productive conversations with your doctor—which may ultimately improve your cancer journey—here are tips for talking to your doctor about kidney cancer.
1. Take someone with you when you go to the doctor
“Bring in people you trust. The more people involved in the discussion, the more perspective you're gonna have,” says Joseph Pazona, MD, urologist.
Your friend or family member can act as a second set of ears, which can be really helpful when you’re receiving a lot of overwhelming—and potentially intimidating—information. It can be hard to remember all the details on your own.
2. Write everything your doctor tells you or record your conversation
“We don't remember very much when we hear it verbally, but if we write things down, we're more likely to remember them,” says Dr. Pazona. “It's more likely to cause us to think of questions in the future.”
Alternatively, have your friend or family member take notes during the conversation, or ask your doctor if it’s okay if you record the conversation to listen to later.
It may also help to write down your questions beforehand so you don’t forget them once you’re face to face with your doctor. Here are suggestions for questions to ask your doctor about kidney cancer.
3. Get a second opinion
“Meet with as many people as you need to to make sure you have clarity about your situation,” says Dr. Pazona, “because you’re if you’re confused and not engaged in your healthcare decisions, then you’re more likely to continue to be scared and anxious.”
Getting a second opinion typically means seeing additional doctors and specialists, but it may also include researching on trusted websites, such as the National Institute of Cancer or the American Cancer Society.
“If you don’t understand something, if you’re not comfortable with your doctor, let us know, or go find a doctor who you are comfortable with,” says Dr. Pazona. “Don’t ever settle when it comes to your health because there’s nothing more important.”
Dr. Pazona is a urologist in Nashville, TN.
1
00:00:01.267 --> 00:00:02.232
(ambient music)
2
00:00:02.233 --> 00:00:02.899
(narrator) There's a lot to learn
3
00:00:02.900 --> 00:00:05.299
about your renal cell cancer treatment.
4
00:00:05.300 --> 00:00:07.799
Talking to your doctor about your diagnosis and options
5
00:00:07.800 --> 00:00:11.899
may feel overwhelming at times.
6
00:00:11.900 --> 00:00:14.166
It can be difficult to take in and remember
7
00:00:14.167 --> 00:00:15.932
all the information you're given,
8
00:00:15.933 --> 00:00:20.299
but there are things you can do to make it easier for yourself.
9
00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:23.632
It's incredibly important for you to have open communication
10
00:00:23.633 --> 00:00:27.632
with your doctor about a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma,
11
00:00:27.633 --> 00:00:29.699
or any medical disease.
12
00:00:29.700 --> 00:00:31.666
When you're engaged in your health care,
13
00:00:31.667 --> 00:00:33.466
you're gonna get better care.
14
00:00:33.467 --> 00:00:35.166
It's just that simple.
15
00:00:35.167 --> 00:00:38.766
(ambient piano music)
16
00:00:38.767 --> 00:00:41.466
I think there are several tips that you can follow
17
00:00:41.467 --> 00:00:44.699
that can help relieve any anxiety or confusion
18
00:00:44.700 --> 00:00:47.799
when you receive a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma,
19
00:00:47.800 --> 00:00:49.899
or any other other medical condition.
20
00:00:49.900 --> 00:00:51.832
Bring in people you trust.
21
00:00:51.833 --> 00:00:54.832
The more people involved in the discussion,
22
00:00:54.833 --> 00:00:57.599
the more perspective you're gonna have.
23
00:00:57.600 --> 00:00:59.166
Take notes.
24
00:00:59.167 --> 00:01:01.732
We don't remember very much when we hear it verbally,
25
00:01:01.733 --> 00:01:03.266
but if we write things down,
26
00:01:03.267 --> 00:01:05.366
we're more likely to remember them.
27
00:01:05.367 --> 00:01:09.966
It's more likely to cause us to think of questions in the future.
28
00:01:09.967 --> 00:01:14.166
Get second opinions, whether that is a trusted website
29
00:01:14.167 --> 00:01:15.899
that you find on your own,
30
00:01:15.900 --> 00:01:17.832
your primary care doctor,
31
00:01:17.833 --> 00:01:20.532
or even going to see another specialist.
32
00:01:20.533 --> 00:01:22.699
Meet with as many people as you need to
33
00:01:22.700 --> 00:01:25.899
to make sure you have clarity about your situation
34
00:01:25.900 --> 00:01:27.866
because if you're confused,
35
00:01:27.867 --> 00:01:31.099
and not engaged in your healthcare decisions,
36
00:01:31.100 --> 00:01:35.632
then you're gonna more likely continue to be scared and anxious.
37
00:01:35.633 --> 00:01:37.799
So if you don't understand something,
38
00:01:37.800 --> 00:01:40.132
if you're not comfortable with your doctor,
39
00:01:40.133 --> 00:01:44.332
let us know, or go find a doctor who you are comfortable with.
40
00:01:44.333 --> 00:01:46.866
Don't ever settle when it comes to your health
41
00:01:46.867 --> 00:01:49.166
because there's nothing more important.
42
00:01:49.167 --> 00:01:50.933
(ambient music fades)
If you have kidney cancer. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2020. (Accessed on May 14, 2020 at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/kidney-cancer/if-you-have-kidney-cancer.html.)
Questions to ask about kidney cancer. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2020. (Accessed on May 14, 2020 at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/kidney-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/talking-with-doctor.html.)
Talking with your health care team. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. (Accessed on May 14, 2020 at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/adjusting-to-cancer/talk-with-doctors.)