This research commissioned by Marie Cure draws some interesting conclusions about how inaccurate estimates of life expectancy is when it comes to NHS doctors talking to cancer patients.
"A wide scale analysis by University College London found that more than half of those predicted to die within a specific time lived longer than expected."
The "surprise" question is one I have used with my own Oncology team - including when I was told of my own lousy prognosis (2 to 18 months) back in 2013.
Definitely food for thought!