Incurable but not hopeless: How hope shapes patients’ awareness of their advanced cancer prognosis
03/26/24 at 03:00 AM
Incurable but not hopeless: How hope shapes patients’ awareness of their advanced cancer prognosis
The Conversation, by Jean Mathews and Michael Brundage; 3/24/24
Hope is defined as the expectation of achieving a future good. Patients with cancer, whether it is curable or not, prioritize cure as their highest hope. ... Previous research indicates that less than half of patients with incurable cancer are aware of their prognosis. This is often attributed to a failure of communication. ... In the context of advanced cancer, the relationship between hope and hopelessness is balanced by acceptance, which can re-direct hope to new goals beyond cure, such as hope for connection with others and enjoyment of daily pleasures.