At Your Appointment

Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma) Appointment Guide

Ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment. Answer two questions below to personalize your appointment guide.

• Have you or your loved been diagnosed with skin cancer?

  1. Yes, diagnosed
  2. No, undiagnosed
• Will this appointment be an in-office visit or an online/telehealth appointment?

  1. In-office visit
  2. Online/telehealth appointment
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Top Questions Your Doctor May Ask You About Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma) If you’re having a telehealth appointment, it's helpful to keep these things in mind. Test your computer or smartphone to make sure you can log in without difficulties. Since the doctor can’t examine you in person, be very specific about your symptoms. Print this appointment guide or write down your questions so you remember what to ask, and consider having someone sit with you to listen in. Have your medicines with you so you can show the doctor the labels and doses, and if you are interested in a specific treatment, be sure to ask about it.

• Please describe the symptoms and issues you’re having that led you to schedule this online appointment. Start at the beginning of this current episode and tell me how and when things have changed and progressed.
• Is this the first time you've been diagnosed with skin cancer, or is it a recurrence?
• Have you been previously diagnosed with any other type of cancer?
• Does your skin get sunburned easily? How often do you get sunburns?
• Do you spend a lot of time in the sun or use tanning beds?
• Do you use a daily sunscreen?
• What skin changes have you noticed and when did they first start?
• Has the lesion grown or changed in any way?
• Do you have a family history of skin cancer? Which ones?
• Have you been previously diagnosed with any other type of skin cancer?
• Have you ever had radiation treatment for a skin condition?
• What other medical conditions do you have?
• Are you having any side effects from your skin cancer medicine?
• What is your main concern about a skin cancer diagnosis?
• What new symptoms are you experiencing?

Top Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma) Many people forget to ask important questions at their doctor's appointments. You may want to print or write these questions down before your appointment so you remember to get the answers you need.

• Do my symptoms mean I have skin cancer?
• How do you diagnose skin cancer?
• How long will it take find out if I have skin cancer?
• Depending on biopsy results, what treatments are available to eliminate my skin cancer?
• Is there anything I can do to lower my risk of skin cancer?
• What type of skin cancer do I have?
• What stage is my skin cancer?
• Does my type of skin cancer tend to spread? How quickly?
• What treatment options are available for my type of skin cancer?
• What is the risk of permanent scarring? How can I reduce the risk of scarring?
• Am I at risk of getting skin cancer again in the future?
• Are the skin changes I'm having related to my medicine?
• Are my new symptoms related to skin cancer?
• What is the best treatment plan for my skin cancer?

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