Attitudes of women with breast cancer regarding the doctor-patient relationship.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. The current study uses the qualitative method to examine breast cancer patients' viewpoint regarding the doctor-patient communication and its implications during their treatment. All the women brought up the same central themes: Assuming an active attitude in their life. One of the ways to be active is by helping others in her situation., Dealing with uncertainty., Need for support from the surroundings., Feeling vulnerable in every area of life., The doctor should encourage the patient to adopt an active position, try to minimise their uncertainty, support relatives to become involved and address all problems and not just the medical complaint of their patient. This study is a basis for developing training programmes in the medical professions, in order to improve their communication with cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]