The pervasive nature of uncertainty-a qualitative study of patients with advanced cancer and their informal caregivers.

Uncertainty is a recurrent issue for cancer survivors and their families impacting broad aspects of their lives and their ability to move forward; however, patients and caregivers in this study rarely discussed these concerns together. Uncertainty should be discussed periodically, together, and healthcare professionals could facilitate these discussions. The use of one or more 'trigger questions' in clinic appointments may provide an opportunity to start these dialogues.