Breast Cancer Treatments
In support of Clinical Care Options, LLC’ s medical education program, Smarter. Stronger. Together: Achieving Quality HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Care by Educating Providers and Patients , members of the Smart Patients breast cancer communities were asked via an online patient survey about their preferences for quality of life when facing treatment choices.
The Importance of Incorporating All Patient Considerations into Shared Decision-Making (SDM)
Optimal shared-decision making occurs when clinicians communicate cancer care treatment options while considering the patient’s values, goals, and preferences to make well-informed, patient-centered treatment decisions. Patients’ considerations are often broader than oncologists’, incorporating contextual factors such as the innovative value of the treatment and life responsibilities.
While both oncologists and patients are interested in treatment efficacy and the physical side effects of treatments, patients are also interested in the emotional side effects of treatment, cognitive side effects of treatment, the logistics and convenience of treatments, the salience of cutting-edge treatment options (clinical trial or newly approved medication), the cost and financial toxicity associated with treatment, personal and family responsibilities, and how treatment impacts daily activities and participation in self-defining endeavors.
In cancer treatment, patients often must make trade-offs between QoL and length of life (LoL). Tumor-specific therapy can potentially prolong life; however, this may reduce QoL significantly. Some patients are willing to endure toxicities associated with treatment to increase their LoL. In contrast, others value QoL more and are reluctant to spend their remaining years in a compromised state.
How do you factor in your preferences and goals when making decisions about breast cancer treatment?
