A survey regarding the disclosure of the diagnosis of cancer in Toyama Prefecture, Japan.

A survey regarding the revelation of the diagnosis of cancer to patients was conducted on 116 medical doctors (MD), 206 paramedical personnel (PP) and 789 lay persons (LP) in June 1989 in Toyama prefecture, Japan. When asked in the case that their parents or spouse had cancer, only 29.8% of all respondents answered that they would reveal the diagnosis of cancer to their family member. On the contrary, if they themselves had cancer, 56.3% of all respondents answered that they wished the diagnosis to be revealed, and 77.4% of these answered that they wished to be informed of the cancer diagnosis by the doctor in charge. They wanted to know the details of their condition from their medical doctor, and thought that they could receive this knowledge calmly. Thirty-one percent (34/108) of the doctors questioned reveal the diagnosis of cancer to their patients and 79.4% of these answered that they felt that telling the true diagnosis was good. A serious responsibility for the medical doctor was indicated.