Study: Decision Aid Helps Patients Pondering Chemotherapy

Women with lymph node-negative breast cancer who used a simple decision-making tool in addition to their consultation with the doctor were more satisfied with their decision on whether to have chemotherapy, according to a report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Dr. Timothy Whelan of the Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre in Ontario developed the interactive aid called the "Decision Board" to help women understand different treatment options, the risks and benefits, probabilities of outcomes, and quality of life issues.

In a study involving 176 women who had been operated on for lymph node-negative breast cancer, approximately half made a decision on follow-up chemotherapy based on a consultation with the doctor, while other half -- in addition to the consultation -- worked their way through the Decision Board.

There was no statistically significant difference in the number opting for chemotherapy.

But women who worked their way through the Decision Board reported feeling they had a better understanding of their disease, risk of cancer recurrence, and treatment options, and also reported being more satisfied with the decision-making process.

"When making decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy, patients with early breast cancer who had been exposed to the Decision Board had better knowledge of the disease and treatment options and greater satisfaction with their decision making than those who received the standard consultation," the authors concluded.

Other sources: Journal of the National Cancer Institute