For much of the twentieth century, it was common in Western medicine to keep cancer diagnoses secret from patients. Doctors believed that revealing such information would cause emotional distress and possibly reduce a patient’s chances of survival. This practice was supported by early medical ethics guidelines, such as those from the American Medical Association, which advised doctors to avoid giving overly pessimistic prognoses and instead inform patients' families. A survey of 444 doctors in 1953 found that only 3% regularly told their patients they had cancer, while 69% said they rarely or never did. The main reason given was the fear of negative emotional reactions, with one doctor stating that "for everyone, intelligent or not, the word cancer is synonymous with a death sentence." This practice was not just a personal choice but was embedded in medical training and ethical standards. Doctors were taught that withholding the diagnosis was a way to protect patients emotionally. Some admitted they were unprepared to handle the emotional weight of delivering such news, while others wanted to avoid personal stress or maintain a calm environment in hospitals. A survey from 1961 in Chicago found that 90% of doctors generally did not inform their patients about a cancer diagnosis, with some even changing official records to avoid using the word "cancer," especially in terminal cases. By the late twentieth century, this widespread secrecy began to change. Public distrust in medical authority, fueled by events like the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, and broader societal shifts questioning traditional authority, contributed to this change. Advances in medical treatment also allowed doctors to share cancer diagnoses without necessarily revealing the full extent of a poor prognosis. A 2008 study of 729 oncologists found that while 98% claimed to inform terminally ill patients of their impending death, nearly half only shared specific prognoses if the patient asked directly. A major shift in medical practice was observed in a 1979 survey in Chicago, which found that over 90% of doctors preferred to inform patients of their cancer diagnosis themselves, a near-complete reversal from the 1961 survey. This change reflects a broader transformation in the doctor-patient relationship, moving from a paternalistic model—where doctors made decisions for patients—to a partnership model, where patients are seen as active participants in their care. However, debates continue about how much information should be shared and the ethical implications of past medical secrecy, even when intended to comfort. The shift from secrecy to transparency highlights a profound change in how patients are viewed—not as fragile individuals needing protection from the truth, but as active partners in their healthcare.