How Much Do Cancer Patients Want to Know?

One of the biggest challenges cancer specialists face is determining what patients want to know about their prognosis. When delivering the bad news, there’s a fine line between best-case scenarios and statistically likely outcomes, between specifics and generalities, between faith and despair. In this New York Times column, two Cleveland Clinic oncologists wrestle with what to say and how to say it.

Advertising Policy

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services Policy