Finding wise hope beyond a cure
Catherine Shteynberg calls for health professionals to use clear language when delivering a diagnosis of incurable cancer Delivering the devastating news of an incurable cancer diagnosis is one of the most important tasks oncologists face. Yet many cancer patients, as I’ve learnt through experience, support groups, and recent studies, don’t always fully understand what their diagnosis means. I received the diagnosis of an incurable low grade glioma in 2016. My surgeon was clear and compassionate, explaining that my cancer was incurable while remaining positive about treatments to prolong life. However, another health professional I saw described my cancer as a “tumour,” and emphasised the need for genetic testing and regular magnetic resonance imaging. I turned to reputable resources like the website for the American Brain Tumor Association, but nowhere did it …
