[White lie--is it still necessary in communication with cancer patients?].

An issue important for communication between doctors and cancer patients is raised. To increase general awareness of the disease, patients should be better informed and be given more access to decision-making concerning their treatment. A lay person will neither feel responsibility for his or her health nor withstand the pernicious psychological pressure unless he or she clearly understands the benefit of timely medical advice and deadly consequences of a belated one.