The Power of Clear Communication in Cancer Diagnosis: How Hope Impacts Survival

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is one of the most life-altering moments a person can face. But what many don’t realise is how this information is delivered can significantly impact a patient’s survival journey. Samara Mahindra, CEO of Carer, emphasises this powerful truth:

“If there is extreme amounts of stress and hopelessness disseminated at the time of diagnosis, we usually see that the patient lives with that distress throughout the treatment journey. But when a patient gets the right information in the right manner—that is more empowering—it can really have an impact on how they respond to their diagnosis.”

Mahindra urges patients and caregivers to seek support when needed:

 “If you feel there is a patient ridden with anxiety because they’ve just been diagnosed, or if it’s happened to you, I suggest reaching out to a professional, reaching out to a counsellor, and really understanding the diagnosis… realising that it is not the end of the road, no matter what anyone says.”

She highlights the importance of mindset:

“Having the right state of mind and being cognisant of what it takes to get through cancer is really what’s going to be the most important factor for any patient at this moment in time. And that anxiety and stress is not it.”

Her message is clear—hope matters, even in the darkest moments:

“We need to disseminate hope even with bad news. We need to disseminate empowerment and create some level of motivation and encouragement with every patient who’s been given the bad news. This will have a huge impact on how patients respond to treatment, their journey, and even their survivability and relapse.”

The way we communicate a diagnosis doesn’t just affect emotions—it can shape outcomes. Delivering information with clarity, empathy, and hope may very well be the first step toward healing.