Getting the most from your health appointments - Karen

So my first appointment where I got the diagnosis that I had cervical cancer, I was called in on a Friday, and to be honest I just kind of thought it was routine.

It can be a challenge to get the most from your health appointments. Cancer survivor Karen Sheahan shares her experience and advice.

The whole process was just so confusing, and a shock to the system. After my first appointment, any appointment that I went to, I made sure that I had somebody with me.

It was decided after 2 months that I would have a hysterectomy as my treatment.

The initial recovery would have been 8 to 12 weeks, the physical side to it. But I'm still recovering at the moment because there still is the fertility issues, the mental, emotional, and gynae problems, and everything else that comes along with it.

In the consultations, the medical language can be very confusing, and there's a lot of acronyms used and words that we just don't understand. So, for me it was important to ask lots of questions.

Even ask them if you can record the sessions, so that you can listen back. I think it's important to understand what's going on.

It is important to get the most from your health appointments. Some tips are: Writing down any questions you have before your appointment. Bringing a notebook with you. Asking the medical staff to explain any words or terms you don't understand. At the end, repeat back to the medical staff what you've understood from this appointment. This will help to make sure you have got the right information.

This video aims to raise awareness of health literacy issues, among people affected by cancer.

For more tips and advice, please visit our website.