Too much jargon confuses cancer patients
 A survey of 200 cancer patients has revealed that although one in three felt that they would get better care if they were well informed, around 40 per cent said that they didn’t know what questions to ask about their diagnosis and treatment and many were confused by the ‘maze of information’.
Less that half of those surveyed knew, when told ‘the tumour is progressing’ that it was not good news. Around a quarter had never received any printed information about their condition or treatment. Those who did, say that they “found it useful.”
Researchers also discovered that people living in London were less likely to receive written information on their diagnosis than those living outside the capital.
“Information helps by providing patients, particularly those with a chronic or long term condition, with a sense of control. It helps with treatment compliance and self management, because patients can weigh up pros and cons of different options, make decisions and know what to expect,” claim the researchers.
CancerBACUP, The Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries, and the campaign group, Ask About Medicines, carried out the research jointly.
Click for a pdf copy of The Cancer Information Maze.
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