Trust, mistrust, and distrust each uniquely shape cancer patients' relationships with healthcare providers. While trust improves perceptions of providers, it does not always lead to increased engagement or adherence to medical advice. Conversely, mistrust and distrust appear to be more strongly associated with adherence. More research is needed across a wide range of populations and provider types to guide interventions in oncology care.
Shaykevich et al. (2026) studied this question.