Patients' Preferences for Chemotherapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Jansen S J T, Kievit J, Nooij M A, Haes J C J M de, Overpelt I M E, Slooten H van, Maartense E, Stiggelbout A M
Primary Institution: Leiden University Medical Center
Hypothesis
What minimum benefits do patients need to find chemotherapy acceptable?
Conclusion
Patients scheduled for chemotherapy would accept it for significantly less benefit than those not scheduled for it.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients scheduled for chemotherapy indicated a median acceptable benefit of 1% at all measurement points.
- The no-chemotherapy group showed a more negative attitude towards chemotherapy over time.
- Age was related to preferences only in the no-chemotherapy group at one time point.
Takeaway
This study found that patients who are going to get chemotherapy are okay with it if they think it helps them a little, while those who aren't getting it need to think it helps a lot more.
Methodology
Preferences were elicited from patients scheduled for adjuvant chemotherapy and compared to those not scheduled for chemotherapy.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in self-reported preferences and attitudes.
Limitations
The study only looked at preferences at three time points and may not capture long-term attitudes.
Participant Demographics
Patients scheduled for chemotherapy and those not scheduled, with age as a variable.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.10
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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