Differences in practice and preferences associated with truth-telling to cancer patients

Doctors should disclose the diagnosis to patients according to the principle of autonomy. However, not disclosing the diagnosis and prognosis to cancer patients remains common in mainland China.

The study explored the experiences and attitudes of patients with cancer, family members, and the medical staff in truth-telling.

A quantitative survey with three closed-ended questionnaires was conducted.

In all, 137 patients with cancer, 134 family members caring for cancer cases, and 54 medical staff were surveyed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize all characteristics, and the chi-square test was performed to analyze group differences in attitudes toward cancer disclosure.

This study was approved by the Committee on Ethics of Biomedicine Research, at the Second Military Medical University (HJEC-2018-YF-001). Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to study commencement.

A total of 59.8% of patients were informed about their diagnosis within 1 week, and 19.7% inferred theirs. The medical staff preferred to prioritize family members in informing about patient diagnosis while 77.4% of patients preferred to be told the whole truth at the time of initial diagnosis. More patients than family members and medical staff wanted the patients to be informed about the diagnosis (p < 0.001). A significant difference was found between the patients and family members regarding who should tell the patients.

The willingness of patients in knowing the truth was underestimated by their family members as well as the medical staff. Guessing the truth indirectly may exert negative effects on the patients, and not telling the truth is inappropriate in patients who want to be informed.

Disclosure of a cancer diagnosis is a complex process involving medical practice, as well as a range of cultural, ethical, and legal factors. The medical staff should first assess each patient's willingness in truth-telling and inform about disease diagnosis with respect. Emotional support and comfort from family members are encouraged. Anyone in the patient's care team, especially nurses, could be integrated in the process of truth-telling.