From the University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington; University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Authors' disclosures of potential conflicts of interest are found at the end of this article.
Address reprint requests to 825 Eastlake Ave E, P.O. Box 19023, Seattle WA 98109; e-mail: tonyback{at}u.washington.edu
Overview: As more information about cancer survival becomes available, oncologists must face ways to discuss this information with patients. The article reviews some of the key evidence about what patients want to hear and outlines an approach for oncologists to use in talking to patients and their families.