Nearly 300,000 people a year in the UK are told they have cancer. If you're waiting for results, there are ways to help prepare yourself.

Make sure you find out when you'll get your results. Jean Slocombe, Cancer Research UK's cancer information nurse, says: "It's always a good idea to ask when you can expect to get your test results and how you'll get them. If you don't hear anything for a few weeks you may wonder if your results have got lost. Check up, as occasionally letters can go astray."

If you ever have any questions, ask. A lot of cancer charities now have helplines that can offer you advice and support as well.

Preparing for the consultation

Write down all the questions you might like to ask during your consultation. "It's very easy to forget what you wanted to ask, because you may have to absorb a lot of information in a short time," says Slocombe.

That's what happened to Linda Hadley when she received her breast cancer diagnosis. "Everything just dashed through my mind and I couldn't think clearly," she says. "I'm glad I had my husband there to ask questions for me."

Understanding your test results suggests some questions you might want to ask.

Another useful tip is to record your consultation on a dictaphone, but check first with your GP or consultant. Either way, you should be offered a record of the consultation.

The consultation

It's a good idea to have someone with you when you get your results.

Breast Cancer Care's Antonia Dean says: "When you're frightened and anxious it can help to have someone there to be another pair of ears and support you. Having said that, some people just want to do it by themselves. It depends how you feel."

Neil Gooding, 43, was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2005 and was living alone at the time. "My sister came along," he says. "I'd thought of questions I wanted to ask in advance but it can be daunting. It was good to have someone on hand as a support." 

A cancer diagnosis

There's no right or wrong way to react to a cancer diagnosis; what matters most is that you have as much information as you need and feel comfortable with any decisions you make. You might feel a range of emotions, including fear, anger or helplessness. Linda says she was in shock. "An absolute total numbness went through my body," she explains. Nigel felt isolated. "I wanted to say to people around me on the street 'Don't you realise...'. It felt strange that life just went on as normal."

Whether or not you decide to confide in those close to you, it can often be helpful to get some support from someone who's not related to you. There are lots of people and places on hand to help. Your nurse or specialist will be able to give you information relevant to your situation, and may be able to direct you towards local support services, such as counselling and support groups, helplines and online forums. 

You can find information about the choices available to you, for example, whether there's a specialist nurse you can talk things through with.

What should you know?

• When you might expect to start treatment and what side effects you might have.
• What the treatment is going to achieve. Is it likely to cure the cancer or will it slow down the growth of the cancer and improve symptoms?
• If there's someone at the hospital you can contact if you feel unwell, before or after the treatment, or if you need to contact your GP.
• There are often practical issues that need to be sorted out (financial matters, for example). Ask if there's someone at the hospital who can advise you about things such as benefits.
• Jot down questions as they occur to you and take these with you when you see your doctor.