By Elayne Smith Lowe

• Be open and upfront with medical providers, including your past medical history and any alternative medicine you use, to protect against harmful side effects.

• Ask if you don’t understand a medical term.

• Make sure your medical records are available to your oncologist.

• If you conduct any research on your own, go over it either with your provider

or navigator to ensure its validity and relevance.

• Get a second opinion if you want to validate the treatment plan or ensure

your provider has the technology you need.

• Make sure you have full knowledge of what your insurance plan provides

either through the company or your patient navigator.

• Call the American Cancer Society’s 24/7 hotline at 800-227-2345 for questions that come up outside office hours.