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Managing Uncertainty

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New Challenges in Communication with Cancer Patients

Abstract

Handling and managing uncertainty provide an additional communication challenge for patients with cancer and their physicians. Addressing and treating not only physical symptoms but also distress, anxiety, and fear are vital to a good outcome. Doctors need to recognize the importance of providing structure and a safe relationship to facilitate coping and can do so through clear and supportive communication.

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Disclosure

I have no disclosures regarding funding or sources of support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Lidia Schapira MD

Authors
  1. Lidia Schapira MD
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Correspondence to Lidia Schapira MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Medicine, New York University Medical School, First Avenue 530, New York, 10016, USA

    Antonella Surbone

  2. Institute of Oncology, Zaloška 2, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia

    Matjaž Zwitter

  3. Institute of Oncology, Zaloška 2, Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana-Center, Slovenia

    Mirjana Rajer

  4. 38th Street 2838, Astoria, 11103, New York, USA

    Richard Stiefel

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Schapira, L. (2013). Managing Uncertainty. In: Surbone, A., Zwitter, M., Rajer, M., Stiefel, R. (eds) New Challenges in Communication with Cancer Patients. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3369-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3369-9_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-3368-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-3369-9

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