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Background & Aims: Bad news is one of the major challenges for cancer patients. The present study was conducted to investigate the attitudes of cancer patients and their families toward the diagnosis of cancer admitted to hospitals affiliated to Ardebil University of Medical sciences. Materials & Methods: A total of 196 cancer patients and their families (including 62 family members of cancer patients, 76 adult patients and 58 child patients) who were admitted to the oncology wards of Imam and Bu-Ali hospitals in Ardebil were selected by convenient sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing six dimensions, including the suitability of the person, the time and the place for delivering the bad news, amount of information disclosed, acceptance, and factors affecting the delivery of bad news, plus a section on demographic details. The questionnaire was completed by the researchers through interviews. Results: Significant differences were found between age and attitude in all three groups regarding acceptance of the bad news (p=0.045). In the dimension of suitability of time for delivering bad news, children’s families had a better attitude than families of adult patients and adult patients themselves (intergroup difference:0.017), but they had a poorer attitude than the other two groups with regard to factors affecting delivery of bad news (intergroup difference: 0.007). Female patients had poorer attitude toward the place for delivery of bad news (p=0.046). Family members of adult patients with higher education showed poorer attitude toward the bearer of the bad news (p=0.009), and those with higher income had a better attitude toward timing of the bad news (p=0.046). Those living in privately owned houses had a better attitude toward suitability of the place for the delivery of bad news (p=0.043) and the amount of information provided (p=0.043). Families of patients with acute diseases showed better attitudes toward the amount of information provided (p=0.033). Employed family members of pediatric patients accepted the bad news better (p=0.04). Conclusion: The results showed no significant differences between the attitudes of adult patients and their families and families of pediatric patients. The attitude differences were observed between groups in certain demographic variables. Therefore the socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds of the person should be considered when delivering the bad news.

Keywords: Bad news, patient, family, patient attitudes and family, cancer, communication skills

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