Speak my language.

A cross sectional study reported this month indicates that only half of treated cancer patients can correctly identify the stage of their disease. Sadly, misunderstanding disease status was even more prevalent among patients who were older, less educated, and less wealthy: In other words, all the things most oncologists are not. So why should we work harder to communicate effectively with these patients? Patient understanding of prognosis can encourage appropriate early integration of palliative care and facilitate convos on how patients would prefer to die. And hopefully prevent unnecessary pain and suffering for family members left grappling with when to let go.