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HealthLINK Cancer


Phone Numbers

Directory assistance
(203) 688-4242

Patient information
(203) 688-4177

Adult emergency
(203) 688-2222

Children's emergency
(203) 688-3333

Admitting
(203) 688-2221

Children's admitting
(203) 688-3331

Psychiatric admitting
(203) 688-9907



Mailing address:
Yale-New Haven Hospital
20 York Street
New Haven, CT
06510-3202

Cancer treatment

Questions to ask your cancer specialist

No matter whether this is your first trip to your cancer doctor, or you have been going for a while, each visit can cause some anxiety. Get the most out of each visit by following these steps. If you need a cancer specialist, call (203) 688-2000 or try Yale-New Haven Health Physician Referral Online.

Before you go:

  • Obtain any necessary insurance referrals prior to seeing your cancer specialist.
  • Have any necessary medical records or test results forwarded to your cancer specialist and call ahead to make sure they arrived.
  • Bring all of your recent X-rays (mammograms, CAT scans and ultrasounds), pathology slides, or other test results with you if these tests were performed elsewhere.
  • Bring a list of any medications you are currently taking.
  • Bring your insurance card and any insurance information.
  • Write down any questions you have.

During the office visit:

  • Take notes, or have a family member or close friend come with you to take notes, or ask if you can tape record the visit.
  • Ask any questions and be sure you understand the answers.
  • Tell your doctor how much information you want to know; some people want to know all the details, where others just want a general overview.
  • Make an appointment for follow-up care.

What to ask?
These sample questions may help you prepare for your visit:

  • What's wrong with me?
  • What treatment do you recommend?
  • Where will this treatment be done and who does it?
  • How long will it take?
  • Is this a new treatment?
  • Are there other treatments?
  • Is this covered by insurance?
  • What are the benefits of these treatments?
  • What are the risks?
  • What medicines are you giving me?
  • What are they for?
  • How often do I take them?
  • How should I expect to feel during treatment?
  • What side effects, if any, can I expect to have?
  • Is there information I can take home to read?
  • When can I call if I still have questions?

After your visit

  • Keep track of appointments, tests, procedures and treatments performed, including where and when they were done.
  • Always go for treatments and follow-up care. If you cannot make an appointment, let your doctor know.

Next page: Staging of cancers

Cancer Services home page
Online physician referral service

Last revised: April 27, 2007 (dh)


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