Patients Rights and Responsibilities

As a patient, I have the right to:

... be treated with care, dignity and respect;

... be listened to carefully, thoroughly and supportively;

... expect that all communications and records pertaining to me and my care be kept confidential;

... discuss with my health care team, in a language that I understand, my diagnosis, treatment, prognosis of my illness, and any instructions required for follow-up;

... have access to complementary therapies and use complementary therapies without prejudice to continued medical support;

... to change my mind about any procedure;

... change physician or other caregiver, or seek a second opinion as I see fit;

... with my consent, have immediate family members or significant others obtain full information about my disease and its management from involved caregivers;

... be actively involved in any decision making pertaining to my care, treatment and investigation;

... have access to information about local services, cancer support and self-help;

... agree or refuse to participate in medical training programs and research projects.
Note: These rights do not all exist as legal rights but are felt to be fundamental to the well being of people with cancer.

I, in turn, have the responsibility to:

... ask questions until I clearly understand my diagnosis, treatment or method of care;

... let my health care team know when I am uncomfortable, in pain, or need more information;

... keep the health care team informed on all my decisions;

... respect the privacy of other patients.