Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2024: national report

Finding out about cancer

Finding out you have cancer can be daunting. The way that someone is told about their diagnosis is an important aspect of cancer experience.

Bringing a family member or friend:

• 51% of people were told in advance that they could bring a family member or friend to the appointment.
• 26% were not told this.

Being told about cancer:

• 84% of people felt they were told they had cancer "sensitively", lower than in 2018 and 2015 (86% in both years).
• 73% of people understood completely the explanation for what was wrong, the same as in 2018 and lower than in 2015 (75%).
• 71% of people were given written information about the type of cancer they had, and it was easy to understand.
  • 8% received such information, but it was difficult to understand.
  • 21% were not given written information about the type of cancer they had.

What people had to say about finding out they had cancer:

“Everyone was very helpful and friendly and discussions around diagnosis and treatment were easy to understand.”

“…The diagnosis process was a bit mixed. Initially it was thought to be [cancer type] and the consultant was a bit off hand and assumed knowledge of the condition using medical terminology. Once I was diagnosed with [cancer type] the professionals explained everything in an understandable language and were very caring and understanding.”

“My diagnosis was over the telephone which was not great as I was on my own in my house…”

“Initial diagnosis – by a doctor whom I have not seen since – was brutally short and left no room for questions. You do not tell someone they have [cancer stage] in 10 minutes and then send them away with a letter…”