Budden, Lea, Hayes, Barbara, and Buttner, Petra (2013) Women's treatment decision-making and psychological distress related to early breast cancer. Annals of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine, 14 (1). p. 17.

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Abstract

Shared-decision making for medical treatment of cancer is now an accepted practice in western countries. Women following a diagnosis of early breast cancer often require decision support and usually experience severe psychological distress. If this psychological distress remains undetected and untreated in these women it may develop into more serious affective disorders such as anxiety and depression. This prospective cross-sectional study investigated Queensland women's (N=132, M=58 years) treatment decision-making and psychological distress related to early breast cancer. Women were surveyed following diagnosis, with the Decision Treatment Process questionnaire and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18). The Decision Treatment Process questionnaire consisted of 23 items and the BSI-18 instrument included 18 items, which both were scored on a 5-point Likert scale. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Most women (94.7%) rated 'to follow the doctors advice' as important when making treatment decisions. The majority (87.8%) of women indicated information and 98% control as other important factors in the treatment decision-making process. Over a third (28.8%) of women was identified as positives cases for Anxiety and 23.5% for Depression. Women who were positive cases for Anxiety were more likely to be younger (p= 0.006). Also younger women (p= 0.04) and those who lived alone (p= 0.04) were more likely to have higher Depression scores. Women after diagnosis often require decision support when choosing early breast cancer treatment. Screening for psychological distress is required so these women can be supported and referred for specialist assessment and treatment if needed.

Item ID:	29772
Item Type:	Article (Abstract)
ISSN:	1448-4706
Keywords:	breast cancer, decision-making, patient treatment, psycholgical distress
Additional Information:	Symposium edition: Townsville Health Research Week, Thursday 10 October - Wednesday 16 October, Robert Douglas Auditorium, The Townsville Hospital, Australia.
Date Deposited:	10 Mar 2014 05:05
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1103 Clinical Sciences > 110399 Clinical Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 50% 17 PSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES > 1701 Psychology > 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology @ 50%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920210 Nursing @ 50% 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920209 Mental Health Services @ 50%
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