title: [Conspiracy of silence in oncology: a situation not to be overlooked].
abstract: Disclosure of a cancer diagnosis and, more often that of a poor prognosis facilitates the creation of a conspiracy of silence, also called a collusive situation. It is often imposed by the patient's relatives. While the initial purpose is to protect a loved one from bad news, these situations are observed in the end to create psychological suffering for all of the protagonists: patient, family, care providers. In order to resolve conflicts and improve the lived experience of difficult moments, it is preferable to break into the collusion by initiating a dialogue. A clinical vignette illustrates an approach to take in everyday practice.
authors.affiliation: Centre Oscar Lambret, 3 rue F. Combemale, BP 307, 59020, Lille cedex. m-reich@o-lambret.fr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mekaoui
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D004644:Emotions; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011379:Prognosis; D019452:Terminally Ill; D014342:Truth Disclosure