The breast journal
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Women with breast cancer have become increasingly more involved on a national and local level in advocating for resources to fight cancer. However, in the context of the relationship with their physicians and other cancer caregivers, much remains to be done in providing them with adequate support. In this paper, we highlight the difficulties in communication related to breast cancer and describe strategies and approaches that may be helpful in improving the communication throughout the cancer trajectory. ⋯ Other communication challenges can be envisioned as occurring at key points across the cancer trajectory: diagnosis disclosure, treatment failure, transition to palliative care, and end of life discussions. These involve techniques as basic as how to establish trust and rapport and determine a patient's information and decision-making preferences and as complex as giving bad news. These strategies are now viewed as essential skills in that they can affect patient distress and quality of life, satisfaction, and malpractice litigation as well as practitioner stress and burnout.