THE KNOWLEDGE OF TUMOR PATIENTS REGARDING THEIR DISEASE

  • 1 October 1988
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 164  (10) , 581-592
Abstract
160 patients suffering from malignant tumors were interviewed by means of a questionnaire. Most of them had been treated by radiotherapy in a curative intent. The treatment had been finished about one year before, all patients submitted to curative therapy were free from recurrences. 80% out of them knew about their diseases, benignancy or malignancy sites of the primary tumours, and extent of lymph node metastases. Only 5% of the patients had to be informed about their disease at the Radiooncology Hospital, 88% had been informed already by the physicians before. About 90% of the patients were of the opinion that a complete information was suitable and desired by them. As our patients got older, their desire for information diminished considerably. Even one year after the end of their disease, 34% did not speak frankly with other persons about their disease. The study showed furthermore that the hope of being cured is not affected by information. In this context, 90% of the patients were of the opinion that information should not exceed a certain degree.

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