Preparing for Doctor Visits

Getting organized and making the most of doctor visits

It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're face to face with your doctor. People often forget the questions they meant to ask the doctor about cancer treatment once they're in the doctor's office.

Take an active role in your cancer treatment

A diagnosis of breast cancer or colorectal cancer can be overwhelming. It's common for cancer patients to feel out of control and even a bit helpless. One thing you can do to gain a sense of control is to take an active role in decisions about your cancer treatment. Getting organized is a good way to take some measure of control:

Record your personal and family medical history. (Download our handy Medical History Form)
Keep all your tests and appointment records together in a well-marked folder, envelope, or other storage container
Ask for copies of all reports, such as lab results, X-rays, and CT, MRI, and PET scans, and keep them all together
Keep track of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and other treatments
Keep track of doctor's visits, hospital stays, and other medical events

These simple steps will help you become more involved with your healthcare team and play an active role in your treatment plan.

Questions to ask your doctor about XELODA

All of these questions can help you understand XELODA better. Although the answers are here on this Web site, you might find it helpful to print this page and bring it with you to discuss in greater detail on your next doctor's appointment:

What types of cancer is XELODA prescribed for?
How is XELODA taken?
What are XELODA's potential benefits?
What are XELODA's potential side effects?
Will insurance or Medicare cover XELODA treatments?

DON'T FORGET!

CALL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ANY SIDE EFFECTS

Tips for visits to your doctor's office:

Start a XELODA treatment diary. It's a good place to write down any XELODA side effects, when they happen, and how much they affect your day. Bring your diary to your doctor's appointment to help you discuss XELODA side effects with your doctor. We've created a cancer treatment diary within a XELODA Treatment Planner that you can download.
Prepare in advance of your visit. Bring written questions with you. Bring pen and paper to the appointment so you can take notes.
Ask the doctor questions.
- Breast cancer and colorectal cancer treatment can get technical. If you don't understand something, ask your doctor to explain it again, in a different way.
- Write down the information, so you can research it further later.
- Make sure all your questions have been answered.
Repeat back what you hear. That way you can check to see if you understood what your doctor said.
Find out when to call the doctor - and when to call the nurse. Some questions can be answered by a nurse or other member of your healthcare team. Find out who to call about each type of question. Ask for their names and numbers and find out the best time to call each person.

Indications:

XELODA is used to treat:

cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic colorectal cancer). XELODA is used as a single drug to treat metastatic colorectal cancer. You should know that in studies, other medicines showed improved survival when they were taken together with 5-FU and leucovorin. In studies, XELODA used as a single drug was no worse than 5-FU and leucovorin taken together, but did not improve survival compared to these two medicines.
cancer of the colon after surgery.
breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer) together with another medicine called docetaxel.
breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has not improved after treatment with other medicines such as paclitaxel and anthracycline-containing medicine such as doxorubicin.

Important Safety Information:

WARNING:

XELODA may increase the effect of other medicines used to thin your blood such as warfarin. It is very important that your doctor knows if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin because XELODA may increase the effect of this medicine and could lead to serious side effects. If you are taking blood thinners and XELODA, your doctor needs to check more often how fast your blood clots and change the dose of the blood thinner, if needed.

The most common side effects of XELODA are: hand-and-foot syndrome, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sores in the mouth and throat (stomatitis), stomach area pain (abdominal pain), upset stomach, constipation, loss of appetite, and too much water loss from the body (dehydration) (These side effects are more common in patients age 80 and older). Other common side effects are rash; dry, itchy or discolored skin; nail problems; hair loss; tiredness; weakness; dizziness; headache; fever; pain (including chest, back, joint and muscle pain); trouble sleeping; and taste problems. Tell your doctor if you have heart problems because you could have more side effects related to your heart.
These side effects may differ when taking XELODA with docetaxel. Please consult your doctor for possible side effects that may be caused by taking XELODA with other therapies.

If you are concerned about these or any other side effects while taking XELODA, talk to your doctor.
Do not take XELODA if you are nursing a baby. Tell your doctor if you are nursing. XELODA may pass to the baby in your milk and harm the baby.
Women should not become pregnant while taking XELODA. XELODA may harm your unborn child. Use effective birth control while taking XELODA. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant. Men should use birth control while taking XELODA.

Do not take XELODA if you are allergic to 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine or any of the ingredients in XELODA. Do not take XELODA if you have been told that you lack the enzyme DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase).
Stop taking XELODA immediately and contact your doctor right away if you have the side effects listed below or other side effects that concern you. Your doctor can then adjust XELODA to a dose that is right for you or stop your XELODA treatment for a while. This should help to reduce the side effects and stop them from getting worse.
- - Diarrhea: if you have an additional 4 bowel movements each day beyond what is normal or any diarrhea at night
- - Vomiting: if you vomit more than once in a 24-hour time period
- - Nausea: if you lose your appetite, and the amount of food you eat each day is much less than usual
- - Stomatitis: if you have pain, redness, swelling or sores in your mouth
- - Hand-and-Foot Syndrome: if you have pain, swelling or redness of your hands or feet that prevents normal activity
- - Fever or Infection: if you have a temperature of 100.5°F or greater or other signs of infection

Please be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your condition or treatment.

THIS SITE INTENDED FOR U.S. AUDIENCES ONLY

For more information about XELODA, contact your physician or other healthcare professional.