Information needs of Asian and White British cancer patients and their families in Leicestershire: a cross-sectional survey

The aim of this questionnaire survey was to find the information needs of British Asian cancer patients. An additional objective was to find the extent of family involvement when the patient was given the cancer diagnosis and the patients' views about information disclosure. We interviewed 82 Asian patients and 220 random white control patients. More white British patients gave positive answers to the statement ‘I want as much information as possible’ than Asian patients (93.1 vs 77.5%, P⩽0.001). However, 92.6% of Asian patients wanted to know if they had cancer. Many more Asians (66.2 vs 5.1%, P<0.001) indicated the general practitioner (GP) as the preferred source of information. This may be because 56% of English-speaking Asian patients would prefer to discuss their illness in their mother tongue. In Leicester, many Asian patients have Asian GPs. The vast majority of both Asian and British patients agreed that family or friends should be present when patients are given the cancer diagnosis. However, Asians were more likely to be alone (24 vs 15%, P=0.008) when told they have had cancer. The majority of patients (both white British and Asian) want to control the disclosure of information to relatives and friends and would like to be present at doctor/family meetings.