Breast cancer patients who directed their treatment decisions had better decision-related outcomes compared with patients who did not direct treatment decisions, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Researchers studied 683 breast cancer patients' preferences for involvement in treatment decision-making. They found that before consultation, most patients preferred shared or patient-directed treatment decision-making. Post-consultation, however, 43 percent of patients' preferences changed — most changes indicated a preference for patient-directed decisions. Patients who were as involved as they wanted to be or were more involved than they wanted had significantly better decision-related outcomes than patients who were not as involved.
The authors said oncologists should encourage cancer patients to participate in treatment decision-making.
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Researchers studied 683 breast cancer patients' preferences for involvement in treatment decision-making. They found that before consultation, most patients preferred shared or patient-directed treatment decision-making. Post-consultation, however, 43 percent of patients' preferences changed — most changes indicated a preference for patient-directed decisions. Patients who were as involved as they wanted to be or were more involved than they wanted had significantly better decision-related outcomes than patients who were not as involved.
The authors said oncologists should encourage cancer patients to participate in treatment decision-making.
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