The physician or physicians medically responsible for the patient
The members of the gastrointestinal oncology nursing team
Important telephone numbers (that is, main hospital line, nursing team, chemotherapy suite)
An image of the digestive system with an X marking the location of the cancer
The medical name for the cancer
The stage of the cancer and the significance of that stage
Presence or absence of distant metastases
Symptoms that might be experienced as a result of the cancer itself
Tests that will be needed in the future (blood tests, imaging, and so on)
Treatment or treatments that will be given for the cancer
When the treatment or treatments will start and finish (approximately)
The ultimate goal of the treatment (that is, curative vs. palliative)
The possible side effects of treatments
The options if initial treatment is not successful
Side effects the patient should report to the doctor or nurse (fever, sores on the hands and feet, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and so on)
Techniques that the patient can use at home to minimize treatment-related side effects
Other techniques that can be used at home to help the patient recover (gentle exercise, fluid intake, dietary suggestions, stress management, and so on)
How the illness could affect the patient’s life during the subsequent few months and where they can turn for support
Space for the patient to write comments and to note questions to ask at the next appointment
