Evaluation of the process of delivering bad news to breast cancer patients

In this study, the circumstances and conditions of breast cancer patients during the process of learning the bad news, content of how the communication took place, evaluation of how the communication took place from the patients' perspective and the obtained data, were examined from various perspectives by taking into consideration the personality traits and emotions and moods of the patients. The 53 participants consisted of mentally competent individuals aged between 18-70 years who had agreed to participate in the interview and at least six months had passed after any form of treatment had been completed following their breast cancer diagnosis. Clinic Interview Form, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Semi-Structured Interview Form, Beck Depression Inventory, and STAI Anxiety Inventory were used as data collection tools in the interview room where patients and interviewer met one to one. 94.34% of the patients said that they were not interrupted during the session, in which they were given their diagnosis. During the notification phase, 62.3% of the patients said that the most demoralizing part was "the moment when the diagnosis was given." The most common feeling shared by the patients was sadness and when the patients were not given the opportunity to express themselves, it was observed that fear was also added to the feeling of sadness. 22 out of 28 patients, who were given the opportunity to ask questions, thought that the information given to them during the session was explanatory. 27 out of 32 patients who thought the doctors' descriptions were clear and explanatory, and 31 out of 43 patients who found them sufficient, thought that the doctors had shown empathy. When the patients were given the opportunity to ask questions that were on their minds, they thought that the given information was explanatory. If the given information was explanatory, they evaluated the bedside manner as empathetic. Most of the patients who thought they could not get explanatory and adequate answers, did not find the appointment sufficient. 85% of patients, almost all of them, stated that psychological factors had an effect on the occurence of an illness. When considering the relationship between the patients' conditions, circumstances of learning the bad news and personality traits, general anxiety and depression levels; it was concluded that there was no significant difference. Key words: Cancer, breast cancer, bad news, empathy, personality traits