Alzheimer's disease patient Isidora Tomaz, 82, sits in her armchair with two chairs placed in front of her by her husband Amilcar Dos Santos (unseen) to prevent her from falling to the ground in their house in Lisbon
Alzheimer's disease patient Isidora Tomaz, 82, sits in her armchair with two chairs placed in front of her by her husband Amilcar Dos Santos (unseen) to prevent her from falling to the ground in their house in Lisbon September 15, 2009. Several low income Portuguese families with Alzheimer's patients under their care are supported by Portugal's Alzheimer Association, a charity. Alzheimer Europe estimates the number of Alzheimer's patients in the European Union alone to surpass 7.0 million. Reuters

Doctors with cancer patients are more forward than physicians with Alzheimer's patients when it comes to telling them their ailment. A report by the Alzheimer’s Association released this week said that only 45 percent of Medicare patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s were told by their doctor of their diagnosis.

In contrast, over 90 percent of Medicare patients with cancer were informed by their doctors of the diagnosis, reports NPR. Alzheimer’s Association Vice President of Constituent Services Beth Kallmyer considers the findings shocking.

She said it is a reminder of the situation in the 1960s and 1970s about cancer. The situation has changed for cancer patients, and Kallmyer hopes it would also with Alzheimer’s. The report is the result of an analysis of medical records and survey results of Medicare recipients in response to complaints from family members that doctors are often reluctant to share their diagnosis with the patient.

Since Alzheimer’s patients have memory loss, the survey took into account that the patient could have been informed but no longer remembers, so the association also surveyed family members and caregivers. And the result hardly changed, with only 53 percent saying they were informed of the diagnosis.

Keith Fargo, director of scientific programs of the association, explained that one reason is the short appointment time that makes it difficult for the physician to disclose a diagnosis of a fatal brain disease in just a few minutes. Another reason is that telling a patient they have a disease that cannot be stopped or slowed down by medication or surgery usually results in an emotional response to the situation.

But Fargo agreed patients must still be told because a diagnosis would mean the patient is beginning to lose some of his or her cognitive functions. “That’s distressing. And to now know why is confusing, and can be frightening,” he said.

Dr Pierre Tariot, a geriatric doctor and director of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix, said patients are grateful when their doctor is honest about what is happening to their brains.

According to Live Science, Alzheimer’s affects about 40 million people globally. The cause of the ailment is a mixture of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Past studies associate the disease with people who are suffering from obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au

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