What Cancer Patients Want to Know? Questions from Oncologic Patients in a Brazilian Private Cancer Center

To establish the more relevant questions oncologic patients may have during cancer treatment. Cross-sectional observational study with all patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer in a Brazilian health institution. A questionnaire with open and close questions about cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis was applied. A total of 198 patients were evaluated of whom 122 (62%) were female and 80% of the patients were between 50 and 89 years old. Sixty-one percent of women and 62% of men had questions about cancer diagnosis and treatment. Although questions about nutrition were the most frequent for all patients (72% of men and 48% of women), treatment short- and long-term consequences were a concern for 31% of men and treatment effects on esthetics for 21% of women. After having been informed by the oncology team about their diagnosis and treatment, 49% of the patients also searched for other sources of information. Thirty-eight patients (20%) searched for alternative treatments for cancer. About half of the patients searched for other sources of information after having been informed by the oncology team about their cancer diagnosis and treatment. The present study reinforces the importance for the oncologic health team to spend sufficient time with patients in order to clarify doubts about cancer diagnosis and treatment.