Information is one of the main interventions given to cancer patients. Important 
research into information disclosure has been conducted and major advances have 
been made. We present the main theoretical models used to understand the 
information field and describe the current situation regarding the principal 
factors related to information: patients' needs, coping strategies, illness 
representations, cross-cultural differences, the role of the family, and 
strategies to enhance information giving, such as professional training and 
patient-targeted interventions. We highlight the need to assess patients' 
characteristics and desires through questionnaires and interviews and present 
the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life 
Group information questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-INFO 25). This instrument evaluates 
the level of information patients have received in different areas of their 
disease, treatment and care, and evaluates qualitative aspects. Finally, we 
describe the key areas of the information field and discuss how these areas 
could change in the future.