Accurate prognostic awareness is associated with increased emotional distress in Latino patients with advanced cancer

To describe the frequency of prognostic awareness (PA) in a population of advanced cancer patients in a Latino community and to explore the relationship between accurate PA with emotional distress and other covariates.

In this cross-sectional study performed in Puente Alto, Chile, advanced cancer patients in palliative care completed a survey that included a single question to assess PA (Do you believe your cancer is curable? yes/no). Patients reporting that their cancer was not curable were considered as having accurate PA. Demographics, emotional distress, quality of life, and patient perception of treatment goals were also assessed. Analyses to explore associations between PA and patient variables were adjusted.

A total of 201 patients were included in the analysis. Mean age was 65, 50% female. One hundred and three patients (51%) reported an accurate PA. In the univariate analysis, accurate PA was associated with not having a partner (p = 0.012), increased emotional distress (p = 0.013), depression (p = 0.003), and were less likely to report that the goal of the treatment was to get rid of the cancer (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, patients with accurate PA had higher emotional distress or depression, were less likely to have a partner, and to report that the goal of the treatment was to get rid of the cancer.

Half of a population of Latino advanced cancer patients reported an accurate PA. Accurate PA was associated with increased emotional distress, which is similar to what has been reported in other countries. Weaknesses in prognostic disclosure by clinicians, local cultural factors, or higher motivation to seek prognostic information among distressed cancer patients could explain this association. Strategies to emotionally support patients when discussing prognostic information should be implemented.