Narrative ethics in the field of oncology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To evaluate the application of narrative within medical practice. Illness like cancer constitutes a biographical disruption that occurs several times during the disease, from diagnosis to complications and treatments. This review analyzes the interest of narrative ethics in medicine with a focus on cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS: The field of narrative ethics in medicine has emerged from a confluence of humanities, contemporary narratology, literature and social sciences. Although there is a growing literature on this topic, little has been written on an oncology setting. This article is more a personal consideration on the subject than a classical review of the literature.

SUMMARY: The advent of bioethics has given considerable insight into the practice of medicine, and it would be inconceivable to return to a paternalistic practice that ignores the will of the patient. Like procedural ethics of discussion, and in complement with principlism, narrative ethics promotes constructive communication between patients and caregivers.