Information needs of recently diagnosed cancer patients in Brazil.

Objective: The communication and disclosure of medical information to cancer patients has been an important issue in oncology, reflecting changes in the physicians' approach when dealing with the patients' ethical right to receive information. The aim of this study was to assess the general and specific information desired by cancer patients regarding their health conditions and to evaluate minor psychiatric symptoms.

Method: Two-hundred and ninety-eight patients were examined at an oncological cancer center in São Paulo, Brazil, using a questionnaire designed to investigate patients' preferences about cancer information and evaluate minor psychiatric symptoms.