Making decisions about blood cancer treatment

Sometimes you might have a choice of different treatment options for blood cancer. And you always have the right to accept or decline any treatment that’s offered to you.

Your hospital team should talk you through your options and explain the benefits, risks and side effects of different treatments. They should also be able to tell you about how well the treatment might work and your recovery.

Your doctor should give you the time you need to discuss your treatment options, and to ask as many questions as you want. If there’s anything you don’t understand, it’s OK to ask them to explain it again, or explain it in a different way. You can also ask your clinical nurse specialist/keyworker who will be able to support you.

Healthcare professionals should respect and support you in your choice of treatment, even if your views are different from theirs. This includes if you decide not to have treatment.

Remember, you can reconsider your decisions at any time, and the final decision about your treatment will always be yours.

It can be helpful to tell your hospital team about your own priorities and goals, and to ask how treatment might affect these. This can help you and your team decide if a particular treatment is right for you.

Some things you might want to consider include:

If you feel like your diagnosis or treatment plan is wrong, you might want to ask for a second opinion. This means asking a different doctor if they agree with your treatment plan or diagnosis.

Your doctor does not make decisions about your diagnosis or treatment on their own. They will discuss your case at a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. This is a meeting of healthcare professionals with different areas of expertise, often including specialist doctors from other hospitals.

This means your case will usually have been reviewed by more than one doctor already. However, you can still ask for a second opinion if you would find it helpful or reassuring.

There are advantages and disadvantages to getting a second opinion.

Possible advantages:

• you might be offered different treatment or access to clinical trials
• you might get to see a doctor with more expertise in the type of blood cancer you have
• you might feel more confident about your diagnosis and treatment after getting a second opinion.

Possible disadvantages:

• your treatment might be delayed while you wait for a second opinion
• if the second doctor agrees with the original diagnosis and treatment plan, this might be difficult to accept
• you might need to travel a long way to see a different doctor or for treatment.

If you’re unsure or unhappy about any aspect of your diagnosis or treatment, it’s worth speaking to your hospital team first. Often, talking to your team can resolve your concerns and you may find there’s no need for a second opinion.

If you decide you would still like a second opinion, you can ask your hospital doctor or GP to refer you for one. You don’t have an automatic right to a second opinion on the NHS. But you have the right to ask for one, and your doctor will usually be happy to arrange it.

Macmillan Cancer Support has more information about second opinions.

Sometimes it might feel difficult to speak to medical professionals and ask all the questions you want.

If possible, it can help to take a friend or family member with you to appointments. They can help to ask questions, communicate what’s important to you, and remember what was discussed. It can also be helpful to make notes during your appointments as there may be a lot of information to process.

If you find it hard to understand your treatment and care, or find it difficult to express your views, your council must provide an advocate for you. An advocate is someone who can speak up for you and help you make decisions about your treatment.

The NHS website has information about getting an advocate.

If you’re unhappy with the care you’ve received, there are services that provide support and information for people who have concerns about their healthcare:

• In England: the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
• In Scotland: the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS)
• In Wales: contact your local Llais team.
• In Northern Ireland: the Patient and Client Council.

Paul has been living with chronic blood cancer since 2013. These are his tips for communicating with your medical team.

1. Take someone with you to appointments – a family member or friend can write notes, ask questions, and help you remember what was said.
2. Keep a notebook or app or recording device handy – jot down questions or symptoms as they come up, even in the middle of the night, so you don’t forget by the time of your next appointment.
3. Ask for explanations, not just reassurance – if a doctor says “don’t worry,” it’s okay to ask them to explain why you shouldn’t worry, with facts and reasoning.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask the same question again – the shock of hearing “cancer” can shut down your ability to take in information, so repeating or clarifying is completely normal.
5. Speak up if something feels wrong – whether it’s side effects, lost test results, or dismissive answers, you have the right to raise concerns and ask for better communication.

First published October 2026. Next full review due October 2029. We may make factual updates to the information between reviews.

Thank you to clinical nurse specialist Abbie Sellars and specialist registrar Dr Izzy Wood for checking the clinical accuracy of this information.