Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

The information and decision support needs of older women (>75 yrs) facing treatment choices for breast cancer: a qualitative study

Burton, Maria, Collins, Karen Anna, Lifford, Kate Joanna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9782-2080, Brain, Katherine Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9296-9748, Wyld, Lynda, Caldon, L., Gath, Jacqui, Revell, Deirdre and Reed, Malcolm William 2015. The information and decision support needs of older women (>75 yrs) facing treatment choices for breast cancer: a qualitative study. Psycho-Oncology 24 (8) , pp. 878-884. 10.1002/pon.3735

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Objective Primary Endocrine Therapy (PET) is a good alternative to surgery for breast cancer in older frailer women. Overall survival rates are equivalent although rates of local control are inferior. There is little research regarding the decision support needs of older patients faced with this choice. This qualitative study aimed to explore these among older breast cancer patients offered a choice of treatment, as the basis to develop an appropriate decision support tool. Methods Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with older women (>75 years) with breast cancer who had been offered a choice of PET or surgery at diagnosis. Women's involvement in their treatment decision and support for the process were explored and analysed using framework analysis. Results Thirty-three interviews were undertaken (median age 82, range 75–95 years, 22 PET, 11 surgery). Most women, regardless of treatment choice, wanted tailored information about the different treatment options, their impact on independence, the practicalities of treatment and the risk of recurrence and spread. Surgery was the treatment of choice in women wanting optimal disease control; those choosing PET felt that they were ‘too old’ for surgery and wanted minimal disruption. Conclusions Older women described making active treatment decisions. However, some knowledge was inaccurate. Women wanted information and decision support from their clinicians along with a specific tailored information booklet to support this process.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Medicine
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
Uncontrolled Keywords: elderly; information needs; oncology; cancer; treatment options
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
ISSN: 1057-9249
Date of Acceptance: 15 November 2014
Last Modified: 31 Oct 2022 10:43
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/85862

Citation Data

Cited 26 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item