The incidence of cancer is increasing in absolute and proportional number of cases. Despite major advances in diagnoses and treatment, disclosure bad news is often inevitable during the course of the disease. Several protocols have been developed to increase effectiveness and standardize communication with patients; however, they are usually based on experiences and reaction of individuals with known cancer. This study aims to evaluate in a random population of individuals without the known exposure factor (cancer diagnosis) the predictive factors and preferences on how to receive the bad news. A survey, containing questions about demography and formulated by the authors, was applied to passers-by in the city centre of the countryside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2014 to 2015. Subsequently the data was compiled into a Microsoft Excel® version 97 - 2003 table and later exported to the Epi Info® program version 3.5.2 of December, 2010. Of the 1, 201 people interviewed, 1181 met the inclusion criteria. A majority of 1, 089 (92.6%) would like to be informed of a possible diagnosis of cancer. Advanced age, low purchasing power and low level of schooling seems to be related to a greater tendency and preferred not to be informed of the diagnosis of cancer, as well as, occupations such as human sciences etc (p<0.05). On the other hand, for occupations such as students, biological and exact sciences, they prefer to be informed (p<0.05). There was no significant difference for sex (P = 0.9222) or religion (P = 0.8752). Three hundred and twenty-five individuals (27.51%) reported some reasons to omit the diagnosis of cancer to any patient due to: 130 (40%) probable deleterious psychological effects; 60 (18.46%) might compromise the patient clinical status, 42 (92%) may cause embarrassment or discrimination, 30 (9.23%) for pity and 63 (19.38%) other opinions (P <0.05). Our study was a pioneer to show that nearly one in fourteen healthy individuals would prefer not to receive the diagnosis of cancer (7.4%). Factors associated with this preference were schooling level, purchasing power, job occupation and age range. An expressive 27.51% of respondents believe there is a reason to omit the diagnosis of cancer to a patient. Further investigations are required to improve the effectiveness in the communication between clinicians and potential patients.

Key words: Cancer diagnose, diagnose disclosure, bad news.
 

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