Expectations, end-of-life fears and end-of-life communication among palliative patients with cancer and caregivers: a cross-sectional study.

There seems to exist a 'self-other' asymmetry: palliative patients and their caregivers expect substantial personal relief when openly talking about end-of-life issues, but also expect the other person to be burdened by such communication. Professionals repeatedly need to initiate end-of-life communication.