ABSTRACT
By the time of diagnosis, patients will have endured various and sometimes unpleasant investigations. If the diagnosis is cancer, they may, or may not, have been through the complicated staging process. This chapter presents the story of Ken whose wife was a chronic multiple sclerosis and was also diagnosed of having breast cancer. The story describes well just how catastrophic a diagnosis can be, that professionals can never assume that the illness being diagnosed is the only illness the patient has. Ken has highlighted that his communication needs have changed and demonstrated that he is, and no doubt will continue to be, clear about this. It is helpful to the patient if the diagnosis is given by the doctor who made it and is responsible for the patient’s care, as it is likely that the patient and/or his carers will have questions that the diagnosing doctor will be best placed to answer.
