Cancer patients' desire for information: a study in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Relatives of cancer patients in Saudi Arabia tend to believe that telling the truth to the patient could lead to harm and suffering. This study assessed the attitudes of Saudi Arabian cancer patients towards disclosure of cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and benefits and adverse effects of therapy. A questionnaire survey was administered to patients attending the oncology service between January 2002 and December 2005 before they knew their diagnosis. Of 114 patients interviewed, all except 1 (99%) wished to know all the information about their disease and 100% rejected withholding information. Most of the patients (77%) wanted their family to know the diagnosis but few (17%) wanted their friends to be informed. Almost all patients wanted to know the benefits and adverse effects of therapy (98% and 99% respectively). All patients wanted to know about the prognosis of their disease.