The power of words in cancer care

“You have cancer” – “You failed this regimen” – “You are terminal stage now”

 24% of cancer patients reported one or more problems in the area of communication.*

The patient did not fail chemotherapy, chemotherapy failed the patient.

Unfortunately, even today, it is still terminology that remains in common usage in the field of oncology.  Sometimes we as health care professionals do not understand what power these words have. The expression of empathy and the ability to elicit patients’ feelings is a key for a good relationship with your patients!

Communication matters!

Dr. Doris Haider, ESOP

*Cancer patients’ evaluation of communication: a report from the population-based study ‘The Cancer Patient’s World’. Support Care Cancer. 2013 Jan;21(1):235-44.

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