Awareness of cancer patients about their disease details and the impact on their depression and anxiety

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effect of diagnosis and prognosis awareness on the psychological well-being of terminally ill cancer patients in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the palliative care unit at King Fahad Specialty Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Participants were adults (18+ years) with advanced (stage 3 or 4) solid cancers receiving palliative care. Data were collected through interviews that covered demographic information, awareness of cancer stage and prognosis, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Among 52 patients, 38.5% were aged 55 years or older, and 53.8% were males. Only 25% were aware of their disease stage and prognosis. Additionally, 38.5% preferred not to know their life expectancy under different treatment options. Depression prevalence was 44.2%; anxiety prevalence was 26.9%. Depression was more common in patients who preferred not to know their life expectancy (75% vs. 25%, p-value = 0.002). Awareness of the disease stage and prognosis did not significantly correlate with psychological disturbance. Conclusion: Most patients with advanced cancer stages were unaware of their disease status or prognosis. Awareness did not significantly increase psychological disturbance, suggesting that physicians can inform patients about diagnosis and prognosis without causing significant psychological harm.