OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to explore relatives' experiences of talking about @entity5 within the family and to identify their information and support needs. METHOD: A cross-sectional in-depth interview study with relatives and partners (n   =   22) of @entity5 @entity1 recruited through community settings was conducted. A thematic approach was used for analysis. RESULTS: Information sharing and communication within families operated within a context of @entity5 -related uncertainty. Discussion about @entity5 was generally viewed as beneficial, but relatives faced dilemmas, which inhibited information exchange. @entity1 often devised strategies to manage the challenges faced to fulfil their needs for information and support. This was deemed important as talking about @entity5 allowed relatives to support @entity1 ' preferences for care, deal with practical demands and come to terms with difficult issues. Lack of information was perceived to affect the quality of care @entity1 could provide. CONCLUSION: @entity1 did not always want to know everything about the @entity1 's illness, suggesting the importance of tailoring information to individual needs. Offering a range of different kinds of support directly to relatives may improve @entity1 care and emotional well-being. Copyright    2014 John Wiley _ Sons, Ltd.

'You can't say, "what about me?" I'm not the one with XXXX ': information and support needs of relatives.

@entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['cancer'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'patients', 'patient', 'Participants']
@entity5 :: (MESH:D009369,Disease) :: ['cancer']
