A questionnaire survey on information to cancer patients in Northern Italy

8252 Background: Communication to cancer patients is central in establishing a strong patient-physician relationship. However, the way communication is realized is not standardized, is subjected to cultural influences, and largely varies in different countries. Methods: From June 2003 to August 2003, we invited 200 consecutive cancer patients to answer a 26-item questionnaire in order to verify if information on diagnosis and prognosis was correct and adequate. The questionnaire was derived from that used for a similar survey in Central Italy (Proc ASCO 1998; Abs 210), and enquired also information on treatment and other communication aspects. M/F ratio was 1:2, the median age was 60 yrs; 59 patients had metastatic disease, 11 locally advanced disease, 130 had no evidence of disease (NED). The majority had breast cancer (42%) or gastrointestinal malignancy (37%). Results: We found that 85 % of patients were aware of their diagnosis. Age < 60 yrs (p= 0.004), breast cancer (p= 0.002), NED-status (p= 0.002) and higher education (p= 0.025) were significantly associated to adequate information on diagnosis. Perception of prognosis was adequate in 47% of patients. Female patients (p= 0.003), breast cancer patients (p< 0.001) and patients with NED-status (p<0.001) had a significantly more adequate perception of their prognosis. Only 46% of the patients who desired complete information on prognosis had an adequate knowledge about expected outcome. Thirty-six percent of patients stated they desired a complete information about their disease (open information about diagnosis and prognosis), and 59% were satisfied with the information received (complete information about diagnosis, partial information about prognosis); 5% did not want to know anything about cancer. Conclusions: The results are different from what was previously reported in a similar survey in Central Italy (ASCO 1998; Abs 210). Whether the improvement in overall information on diagnosis (85 vs 60%), prognosis (47 vs 10%) and other aspects is related to change of attitude with time or geographic/cultural differences is presently matter of investigation, with extension of the survey to other parts of Italy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.