Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

The Tsunami that struck on 26 December 2004 caused one of the worst disasters in modern times. The three papers that follow are based on an ICMH Tsunami Expert Review Committee meeting that took place in Male, Maldives, in April 2005

To investigate a suspicion that many ear, nose and throat patients have unfounded concerns about cancer, we questioned 50 patients who had attended a routine clinic after screening-out of those with possibly cancer-related features. None of the 50 proved to have cancer. 15 (30%) had been worried about cancer and 7 of these were still worried despite the consultation. Unwarranted fears about cancer are best dealt with by the referring clinician, especially when the wait for an appointment will be long. Such fears also need to be recognized and addressed by the specialist.