A Double Standard in Bioethical Reasoning for Disclosure of Advanced Cancer Diagnoses in Japan

How and why the Japanese use a double standard when making judgments about the morality of disclosing an advanced cancer diagnosis to the patient is explored.

Abstract

This article examines the Japanese double standard in bioethical reasoning with respect to disclosure of advanced cancer diagnoses. This article is devoted to the analysis of communication styles preferred among the Japanese across different hypothetical situations involving cancer as one's own illness as opposed to cancer as a family member's illness. Generally, the Japanese prefer the use of a direct communication style, involving disclosure of the true diagnosis for their own cancer. When cancer is a family member's illness, however, many Japanese perceive the use of an indirect communication style, involving no disclosure or ambiguous disclosure to the patient more ethical than direct communication of the diagnosis. This article explores how and why the Japanese use this double standard when making judgments about the morality of disclosing an advanced cancer diagnosis to the patient. Policy and educational implications for reconciling such a double standard in bioethical reasoning for cancer disclosure are discussed as conclusions.