title: [Cancer diagnosis: do we want to know the truth?].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To find people's desire for information and their other attitudes when faced with a cancer diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transversal, descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Irun, Oñati and Asteasu Health Centres, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  From the appointments for 19 clinics in March-May 2002, a randomised, prospective and systematic sample, stratified by lists, was extracted (n=725). A modified Fernández Díaz questionnaire was administered. It had personal details and 8 questions with closed replies on aspects of communication (5) and attitudes to death (3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  81.3% (95% CI, 78.4-84.1) wanted to know their diagnosis. 68.9% (95% CI, 65.5-72.2) chose the doctor to tell them. Of these, 36.6% chose the specialist and 26.6%, the general practitioner. If the person affected was a family member, 46.6% (95% CI, 42.9-50.2) would always tell the person; 38.6% (95% CI, 35-42.1), only if the person asked; and 9.6%, never (95% CI, 7.4-11.7). 49.3% (95% CI, 45.6-52.9) would prefer to die at home. The greatest fear for 44% (95% CI, 40.3-47.6) was pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most people want to be informed of their diagnosis. Neither an urban or rural environment nor having had family members with cancer affects their view. If the person affected by cancer is a family member, very few people favour not telling him/her at all. Sufferers want the doctor to tell them the information, prefer to die at home and pain is what worries them most.
authors.affiliation: Médico de Familia, Centro de Salud de Irún Centro, Irún, Gipuzkoa, España. vrubioa@papps.org
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rubio Arribas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sampedro Martínez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zapirain Sarasola
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gil Benito
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ayechu Redin
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tapiz Ibáñez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure