Cancer in Sri Lanka: The Question of, “To Tell or Not to Tell”

Abstract

Introduction Cancer is an important cause of death in Sri lanka and revealing the truth about cancer diagnosis has become difficult due to many factors. Objectives To find the attitudes of Doctors, cancer patients and their close family members about informing the diagnosis of head and neck cancer at TH Anuradhapura. Method A descriptive, prospective study was carried on histologically diagnosed cancer patients, their first degree relatives and doctors treating them. Results Ninety three percent 93.6%(29) of the patients wanted the diagnosis of cancer to be told to them, 45.5%(12) relatives had the same view and 58.3%(21) of the doctors said that they would inform about the cancer to the patient. Conclusion Our study indicates that cancer patients in Anuradhapura have no inhibition of accepting their diagnosis of cancer and its complications. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjo.v3i1.5213 Ceylon Journal of Otolaryngology Vol.3(1) 2013 pp.17-19