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Background: Previous research suggests that the majority of cancer patients desire full disclosure of their prognosis and treatment options. The current study compares the views of Australian (A) and Canadian (C) patients with metastatic cancer towards disclosure of prognostic information. Methods: Cross sectional studies were undertaken with A and C patients with newly diagnosed metastatic cancer to assess their preferences for and understanding of prognostic information. The primary outcome was patients’ preferences for the mode of delivery of prognostic information. Remaining analyses were primarily descriptive. Results: Survey response rate was A: 58% (n = 126) and C: 57% (n = 117). Patient mean age was 62.8yrs (A), 63.2yrs (C). 56% (A) and 39% (C) of patients were male. There were some differences in type of cancer: breast (25%A, 30%C), colorectal (18%A, 44%C), lung (10%A, 26%C) and other cancers (47%A). The main outcomes of the A and C surveys were very similar. The majority of all patients surveyed wanted to know prognostic information. Most patients preferred both words and numbers (46%A, 52%C), or words only (28%A, 31%C) for presenting prognostic information. Respondents were more likely to like words (66%A, 47%C), percentages (65%A, 45%C), or fractions (60%A, 47%C) for presenting prognostic information, than diagrams (37%A, 33%C), pie charts (42%A, 32%C) or graphs (33%A, 29%C). The majority of patients want to receive information on treatment goals and options when first given a metastatic diagnosis (84%A, 86%C). Fewer patients want to receive information on life expectancy at this time (59%A, 56%C) and only the minority want to discuss information about dying at this time (34%A, 36%C). Respondents indicated the specialist should just tell the patient (83%A, 74%C) rather than check first if the patient wants to know (15%A, 22%C). Conclusions: A and C patients have similar and strong preferences for receiving prognostic and treatment option information. However, more research is needed on the timing of delivery of this information.
No significant financial relationships to disclose.