Patient Perspectives on Electronic Communication of Cancer Diagnoses
By
Sheena Bhalla
Meera J. Patel
Lauren Abruzzo
Alana Christie
Ruchira Garg
Donglu Xie
Jeremy Louissaint
Song Zhang
Heather Kitzman
David E. Gerber
June 24, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Understanding Patient Views on the Electronic Delivery of Cancer Diagnosis Information
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Cancer Diagnosis Communication Key Mechanisms Electronic patient portals for test result delivery Target Population English-speaking cancer patients at a comprehensive cancer center Care Setting Oncology outpatient care
Key Highlights
84% of respondents received their cancer diagnosis from their clinical team. 75% preferred clinician communication for future diagnoses. 7% learned their diagnosis through the patient portal. 71% of those who received a portal diagnosis were at home and alone. Increased portal use noted among patients with recurrent cancer. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Patients should be informed of their diagnosis through preferred communication methods. Management
Health systems should consider patient preferences for communication regarding cancer diagnoses. Monitoring & Follow-up
Monitor patient responses to different diagnosis delivery methods. Risks
Potential confusion and anxiety from immediate access to sensitive results. Patient & Prescribing Data
Patients diagnosed with cancer between 2019 and 2023.
Patients express varied preferences for receiving diagnosis information.
Clinical Best Practices
Facilitate clinician-led communication for cancer diagnoses. Provide options for delayed portal release of sensitive results. Educate patients on their rights to access health information. Related Resources & Content
