Your first visit

Before you arrive

If you have already spoken to the clinic to confirm your appointment, you'll have been asked to bring a few things — your previous reports, biopsy slides, scan CDs, and a current medication list. If you haven't yet read our short checklist, please do: preparing for your visit. The more complete the information you arrive with, the more useful the consultation will be — and the less likely you'll need a second visit just to review missing reports.

Try to bring one family member with you. Not because you can't handle the information alone — most people can — but because two pairs of ears remember more than one, and the person sitting beside you will help you remember the plan when you get home.

Arrival and registration

When you reach the clinic, the front desk will register you. If this is your first visit, registration takes a few minutes longer than a follow-up — basic details, contact information, the name of your referring doctor, and a brief note of why you're here. You'll be shown to the waiting area; tea and water are available.

If you've come from out of town and are tired from travel, tell the front desk — we can usually adjust the order to get you seen a little sooner.

The medical assistant — your first conversation

Before you see Dr. Rehan, a medical assistant will spend ten to fifteen minutes with you. This isn't a formality — it's where a lot of the foundation is laid. Specifically, the assistant will:

• Take your weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation and temperature.
• Ask about your main symptoms — when they started, how they've changed, what makes them better or worse.
• Review the reports you've brought and arrange them in the order the doctor will need them.
• Note your current medications — including over-the-counter painkillers, supplements, hakim or herbal remedies. Please be honest about all of these; some interact with cancer treatments.
• Ask about allergies, past surgeries, other medical conditions (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, hepatitis).
• Ask briefly about family history of cancer.

"The information you give the assistant is not lost — it's read aloud back to the doctor before you walk in. Nothing has to be repeated unless we want to confirm a detail."

The consultation itself

Once you're called into the consulting room, the conversation usually unfolds in a predictable rhythm:

1. The story in your own words. Dr. Rehan will ask you to walk through what's been happening — symptoms, when they started, what investigations have been done so far, what other doctors have told you. Tell it your way; he'll ask follow-up questions where needed.
2. Reviewing the reports. Biopsy reports, blood work, imaging (CT, MRI, PET-CT, ultrasound) will be examined in detail. Don't be alarmed if you see a lot of writing or marking on the reports — that's how we work through the file with you.
3. The physical examination. Brief, focused — usually heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin, and the relevant area of concern. A female chaperone is always present if any examination requires it.
4. What we know and what we still need to know. By this point, Dr. Rehan will have a clear sense of what the picture looks like — and what additional tests, if any, are needed to complete it. Common gaps are a missing report, an outdated scan, a molecular test that wasn't sent on the biopsy, or staging that needs to be completed.
5. The diagnosis explained. Plainly. In Urdu or English, whichever you prefer. We'll talk about what the cancer is, where it is, whether it has spread, and what that means for treatment. There is time for questions — you do not have to understand it all in one go.
6. The treatment options. Usually there is more than one reasonable path. We'll lay them out — what each involves, what each is likely to achieve, what the side effects are, and what they cost. You are not expected to decide on the spot for big decisions.

The written plan you leave with

Before you leave the room, you will receive a written summary. This is important — it's how you'll remember what was discussed when the emotion of the day has passed. The summary typically includes:

• The diagnosis in plain terms, with the technical name written too.
• The stage, where known, and what it means.
• The recommended treatment plan — drug names, schedule, expected duration.
• Any additional tests that need to be done before treatment starts (blood work, echocardiogram, dental clearance, port insertion, etc.).
• The next appointment date.
• The clinic phone and WhatsApp numbers — use them whenever you need.

The questions you didn't ask

It is completely normal to leave the consultation, get into the car, and immediately remember three questions you forgot to ask. This is one of the reasons we recommend writing your questions down before you come in — but it's also one of the reasons we give you a way to reach us. WhatsApp is usually the fastest way to get a short answer to a short question. For anything more complex, a follow-up visit or a phone call is better.

How follow-up works

If you choose to start treatment with us, follow-up has a clear pattern. You'll be given:

What if I want a second opinion?

Ask for one. It is your right, and good oncologists welcome it. We will happily provide copies of all your reports, the recommended plan, and a referral letter if it helps. A second opinion is not a betrayal of trust — it is a sensible thing to do for a serious decision, and it often confirms the original plan, which is itself reassuring.

If you cannot come in person

For patients who live far away or who are physically unable to travel, a telemedicine consultation can sometimes be arranged for review of reports and second opinions. The first visit, however, is best done in person — a physical examination and the time spent face-to-face matter, especially at the start of a treatment relationship.