Many patients with advanced lung and colorectal cancer harbor the fundamental misperception that treatments that can extend life and alleviate pain might also cure them, according to a new study led by researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
The finding highlights a breakdown in the difficult and important conversations physicians have with patients about their prognosis, the authors say. Their report was published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Comments
My mother-in-law does this. No matter how often or how clearly the doctors tell her it isn't a cure. It's not the doctor's fault and to tell you the truth, it's been working for my mother-in-law. They gave her eight weeks to live. A year and a half ago. Determined optimism or denial is winning the day. Beating the odds.