11/09/2009 - News
Cancer Patients Prefer Honesty About Prognosis
By: June Chen, MD
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According to a survey of more than 500 people with cancer, 95 percent of cancer patients want their doctors to be honest about their chances of a cure and how long they have to live. This finding was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
The survey findings also indicate that many cancer patients would prefer for their doctors to call them by their first names. And, most cancer patients don’t seem to care whether or not their doctors dress professionally or wear a white coat. Interestingly, one-third of women with cancer and 12 percent of men with cancer said they would like for their doctor to hold their hands during important office visits.
Nearly 84 percent of survey participants said they wanted their doctor to explain their cancer treatment plan in detail, and 95 percent wanted their doctor to use everyday terms, rather than medical language, when providing these explanations.
This survey involved 508 patients undergoing radiation therapy for breast, prostate, or lung cancer between June 2006 and March 2008. The findings of this survey strongly suggest that cancer patients are looking for more honest and personal interactions with their doctors. While doctors should be aware of these preferences, cancer patients should not be afraid to ask their doctors to take the time to explain their cancer treatment in detail.
Source:
51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, Chicago, November 2009
Created on: 11/09/2009
Reviewed on: 11/09/2009
Reviewed on: 11/09/2009
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