An In-Visit Decision Aid for Surgeons to Address Decision Making for Bilateral Mastectomy for Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 4372-4380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine Yao ◽  
Jeff Belkora ◽  
Clara Lee ◽  
Kristine Kuchta ◽  
Catherine Pesce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Decision Aid ◽  
Bilateral Mastectomy ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients

Impact ofBRCA1/BRCA2Counseling and Testing on Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1823-1829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc D. Schwartz ◽  
Caryn Lerman ◽  
Barbara Brogan ◽  
Beth N. Peshkin ◽  
Chanita Hughes Halbert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Genetic Counseling ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Bilateral Mastectomy ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Surgical Decision ◽  
The Impact

PurposeApproximately 5% to 10% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Given these patients' high risk for contralateral breast cancer, bilateral mastectomy is increasingly considered a treatment option for newly diagnosed BRCA1/2 carriers. In the present study, we prospectively evaluated the impact on surgical decision-making of pretreatment genetic counseling and BRCA1/BRCA2 testing among breast cancer patients at high-risk for carrying a mutation.Patients and MethodsParticipants were 194 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who had not yet received definitive surgical treatment and who had at least a 10% prior probability of carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation. Participants were offered free genetic counseling and rapid BRCA1/2 testing. Primary analyses focused on the impact of BRCA1/2 test result on subsequent breast cancer surgical treatment.ResultsForty-eight percent of patients who were found to carry a BRCA1/2 mutation chose bilateral mastectomy as their definitive breast cancer surgery. In contrast, 24% of patients in whom no mutation was detected and 4% of test decliners opted for bilateral mastectomy. Additional predictors of bilateral mastectomy included patients' self-reports of physician recommendations for BRCA1/2 testing and bilateral mastectomy.ConclusionThis study highlights patient interest in and the technical feasibility of offering presurgery BRCA1/2 testing to high-risk patients. Most importantly, these results demonstrate that BRCA1/2 test results significantly affect patients' surgical decision-making. The availability of genetic counseling and testing could serve as a valuable aid to patient decision-making for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients at high-risk for carrying a mutation.

scholarly journals The "Begin Exploring Fertility Options, Risks and Expectations" (BEFORE) decision aid: development and alpha testing of a fertility tool for premenopausal breast cancer patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany Speller ◽  
Kelly Metcalfe ◽  
Erin D. Kennedy ◽  
Marcia Facey ◽  
Ellen Greenblatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Decision Aid ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Supplementary Information ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Premenopausal Breast Cancer ◽  
Fertility Decision

Abstract Background Premenopausal breast cancer patients are at risk of treatment-related infertility. Many patients do not receive sufficient fertility information before treatment. As such, our team developed and alpha tested the Begin Exploring Fertility Options, Risks, and Expectations decision aid (BEFORE DA). Methods The BEFORE DA development process was guided by the International Patient Decision Aids Standards and the Ottawa Decision Support Framework. Our team used integrated knowledge translation by collaborating with multiple stakeholders throughout the development process including breast cancer survivors, multi-disciplinary health care providers (HCPs), advocates, and cancer organization representatives. Based on previously conducted literature reviews and a needs assessment by our team – we developed a paper prototype. The paper prototype was finalized at an engagement meeting with stakeholders and created into a graphically designed paper and mirrored online decision aid. Alpha testing was conducted with new and previously engaged stakeholders through a questionnaire, telephone interviews, or focus group. Iterative reviews followed each step in the development process to ensure a wide range of stakeholder input. Results Our team developed an 18-page paper prototype containing information deemed valuable by stakeholders for fertility decision-making. The engagement meeting brought together 28 stakeholders to finalize the prototype. Alpha testing of the paper and online BEFORE DA occurred with 17 participants. Participants found the BEFORE DA usable, acceptable, and most provided enthusiastic support for its use with premenopausal breast cancer patients facing a fertility decision. Participants also identified areas for improvement including clarifying content/messages and modifying the design/photos. The final BEFORE DA is a 32-page paper and mirrored online decision aid (https://fertilityaid.rethinkbreastcancer.com). The BEFORE DA includes information on fertility, fertility options before/after treatment, values clarification, question list, next steps, glossary and reference list, and tailored information on the cost of fertility preservation and additional resources by geographic location. Conclusion The BEFORE DA, designed in collaboration with stakeholders, is a new tool for premenopausal breast cancer patients and HCPs to assist with fertility discussions and decision-making. The BEFORE DA helps to fill the information gap as it is a tool that HCPs can refer patients to for supplementary information surrounding fertility.

Anxiety in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy: Effects on surgical plan and role of supportive care.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 35-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huaqi Li ◽  
Winson Y. Cheung ◽  
Paula Myers ◽  
Elaine McKevitt ◽  
Kaylie Willemsma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Neoadjuvant Therapy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Bilateral Mastectomy ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Supportive Services ◽  
High Anxiety ◽  
Surgical Decision ◽  
Surgical Decision Making

35 Background: The impact of high anxiety on surgical decision making has been demonstrated in various cancer settings. For patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for breast cancer, supportive services can be offered prior to surgery and may help them choose between the options of bilateral mastectomy, unilateral mastectomy, or breast conserving surgery (BCS) where clinically appropriate. However, the effect of anxiety at initial diagnosis and psychological support on these decisions has not yet been studied. Methods: A prospective database of breast cancer patients treated with NAT at the British Columbia Cancer Agency was utilized to extract demographic information, surgical plan with regards to BCS and unilateral or bilateral mastectomy, and information about supportive services utilized. This was correlated with anxiety scores at initial consultation recorded by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System and the Psychosocial Screen for Cancer. Patients were excluded if they had bilateral breast cancer, BRCA mutation, or missing data. Fisher’s exact tests were applied for statistical analysis. Results: From 2012-2016, 361 potential patients were identified. In total, 203 patients met eligibility criteria: 93 patients (46%) had low anxiety and 110 patients (54%) had high anxiety. Patients with high self-reported anxiety at initial consultation were 19% more likely to undergo aggressive surgery (bilateral mastectomy for unilateral disease or mastectomy for BCS eligible disease) than those with low self-reported anxiety at initial consultation (37% VS 18%; p = 0.003). Of the 110 patients with high anxiety, only 46 patients (42%) utilized counselling before surgery. No significant difference in rate of aggressive surgery was observed in patients with high anxiety who had counselling compared to those who did not (33% VS 41%; p = 0.43). Conclusions: High anxiety at initial consultation is associated with a 19% increase in aggressive surgery compared to patients with low anxiety. Counselling resources are currently underutilized by eligible patients, but this did not have an impact on surgical decision making in this study. This may be an area of opportunity for further research.

Primary care provider-reported participation in breast cancer treatment decision making.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 78-78
Author(s):  
Lauren P. Wallner ◽  
Yun Li ◽  
Chandler McLeod ◽  
Archana Radhakrishnan ◽  
Sarah T. Hawley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Treatment Decision Making

78 Background: Surgical treatment decisions for early-stage breast cancer patients are complex and often involve discussions with multiple oncology providers. However, with the increasing adoption of team-based cancer care models, it remains unknown to what extent primary care providers (PCPs) are participating in breast cancer treatment decisions and whether they feel they have enough knowledge to participate in these decisions effectively. Methods: A stratified random sample of PCPs identified by newly diagnosed early-stage breast cancer patients who participated in iCanCare Study (Georgia and Los Angeles SEER registries) were surveyed about their experiences caring for cancer patients (N = 519, 58% current response rate). PCPs were asked how frequently they discussed which surgery a patient should have, how comfortable they were with these discussions, whether they had the necessary knowledge to participate in treatment decision making and their confidence in their ability to help with treatment decision making (5-item likert-type scales). The individual items were then categorized as somewhat/often/always vs. never/rarely for analyses. Results: In this preliminary sample, 62% of PCPs were not comfortable having a discussion about surgery options with a patient newly diagnosed with breast cancer, 41% did not feel that they had the necessary knowledge to participate in treatment decision-making, and 34% were not confident in the ability to help with treatment decision-making. One third (32%) of PCPs reported discussing surgical treatment options with their newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, but 22% of these PCPs also reported that they were not comfortable having these discussions and 16% reported they did not have necessary knowledge to participate in decision-making. Conclusions: A minority of PCPs participate in breast cancer treatment decision-making and there are notable gaps in their self-reported knowledge about decision-making and confidence in their ability to help with these decisions. Efforts to increase PCP knowledge about the specifics of cancer treatments may be warranted, but further research is needed to assess the impact of PCP participation on treatment decision-making outcomes.

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