I have been diagnosed with cancer twice. The first time the surgeon was very caring and told me that the results of the biopsy showed Lymphoma. I had never heard of lymphoma. He explained it to me from a surgeons knowledge, and told me that the success rate of treating it was like 70%. He then referred me to an oncologist. Being notified of the success rate of treatment was helpful to me since it was a good percentage. If the percentage was bad, I would leave that up to the oncologist so they could discuss it along with how they were going to treat it. The second time I got my diagnosis (4 years later) the surgeon who was doing rounds for the surgeon who did the biopsy came in and said "Well, I guess you already know you have lymphoma." I told him "No, but I do now". He said what he had to say and I heard what I needed to hear, but I would not recommend that. Cancer is too serious of a condition for the doctor to just casually mention it like this in passing. To many people, this type of notification would devistate them.