My 90 y/o dad was diagnosed with multiple myeloma last month, and the consultant talked through his diagnosis, possible symptoms and treatments with my dad (and 86 y/o mum) via an interpreter - as both have limited understanding of English.

My sister was also there and felt that my dad was aware he had an incurable condition, but hadn't necessarily understood it to be cancer.

Since then, my siblings have made their thoughts known that our dad should be told explicitly that he has cancer, but I'm concerned that my mum's health would be adversely affected if she found out he has a form of cancer.

So for the sake of creating unnecessary worry and anxiety to either of my parents, should he be told quite bluntly that he has cancer?