Terry C. Davis|Mark V. Williams|Estela Marin|Robert M. Parker|Jonathan Glass
Health Literacy and Cancer Communication
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport|Emory University Hospital|Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport|Emory University|Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport
health literacy increasingly recognized critical factor affecting communication across continuum cancer care reviewed research health literacy examined impact cancer outcomes communication according national adult literacy survey nals considered accurate portrait literacy society one five american adults may lack necessary literacy skills function adequately society patients individuals disadvantage capacity obtain process understand cancer information services needed make appropriate health care decisions patients poor health literacy complex array difficulties written oral communication may limit understanding cancer screening symptoms cancer adversely affecting stage diagnosis addition barriers impair communication discussion risks benefits treatment options patient understanding informed consent routine procedures clinical trials research needed identify successful methods educating communicating patients limited health literacy based experience offer practical communication aids help bridge cancer communication gap