TRUTH-TELLING TO THE PATIENT IN ADVANCED CANCER - FAMILY INFORMATION FILTERING AND PROSPECTS FOR CHANGE

This study investigated 'truth telling' to the patient in Navarre, Spa in. Knowledge of diagnosis amongst a group of 89 advanced cancer patie nts was compared with the hypothetical desire for information of a con venience sample of 78 non-patients. The views of patients' families we re also assessed. Of the patient sample, 46% reported complete or part ial knowledge of the diagnosis, whereas over 90% of the general popula tion sample indicated that they would want complete or partial knowled ge of the diagnosis. Two factors were found to be predictive of knowle dge status amongst the patient group-including primary tumour site (lu ng/larynx vs breast) and the family's wish for the diagnosis to be wit hheld. Age and educational level were found to be predictive of attitu des towards 'truth telling' amongst the general population sample. The se results indicate a clear wish for greater knowledge amongst (potent ial) patients. Although the family will almost certainly continue to p lay a central role in health care, it is concluded that there are alre ady early signs of the desired trend towards greater diagnostic disclo sure by families.