When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, some families will decide not to let the patient know.
Is there a model to explain why they do not tell the truth to patient?
In China,the family often worry that the patients will be in fear and anxiety and cannot treat the disease smoothly if they know the truth
The usual answer to this question is couched in discussions of what is the custom/what are the customs of the culture or subculture.
I can't see that as a good decision. Because treatment would be impossible if the patient is unaware.
Qingqing Huang Dennis Mazur Thanks for your reply. I think the decision may be related to their emotional responds and beliefs.
Segun Michael Abegunde From my experience, it is possible even the patient is unaware of the cancer. A patient is diagnosed with gastric cancer, but the family told she was having a "severe" gastric ulcer. She has undergone a partial gastrectomy. On the following treatment, the family tells lies. The family never tells the truth to the patient, even at the moment of death.
If directly told to patient regarding diagnosis of Cancer then patient will undergo suddenly shock/fear. Therefore, the best way to avoid this uncomfortable situation is to avoid the tendency to automatically communicate with the family instead of the patient.
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