The participation of women in making decisions about breast cancer treatment varies considerably between Canada and some European countries, according to researchers from the University of Manitoba, Canada.

Canadian women prefer to take an active or collaborative role with their physicians in making treatment decisions, whereas women in England and Sweden are more apt to want their doctors to make decisions for them, according to research presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Nice.

"Ironically, we found that women who wished to remain passive in the decision-making were most likely to get their own way because physicians would make their treatment decisions for them," said Professor Lesley Degner. The women least likely to achieve their preferred roles in decision-making were those who wanted to make the decisions on their own.

Degner believes that doctors tend to be guided by what they think the patient wants to know. "The patient is often overwhelmed and stressed when cancer is diagnosed and may not be able to articulate his or her questions," she said. "Dialogue, rather than questions and answers, between doctors and patients is very important to give the patient the opportunity to become involved in decisions and choices."

If doctors are taking their cues from their patients, the patients need to raise their concerns with their doctor. "If you are worried about your prognosis or treatment, talk about it," advised Degner.

Other sources: European Society for Medical Oncology