Informed Decisions Regarding Prostate Cancer Treatment: Are Patients Receiving Adequate Information?
As reported by Reuters, a recent study headed by Dr. Scott D. Ramsey of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle indicates there is no consensus for the decision-making process for localized prostate cancer treatment. The results reveal that the advice given by physicians varies and usually does not include enough information for patients to make informed decisions. Although doctor recommendation is the major factor that patients consider in making their decisions regarding treatment, these decisions frequently do not even reflect patient preferences. Dr. Ramsey and his associates recommend "future prospective studies aimed at examining how patient values evolve throughout the period of time from their first being diagnosed with prostate cancer until completion of treatment." Full results of the study are to be published in a future issue of Cancer. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, carefully explore the treatment options with your treating physician. If you still have questions, consider a second opinion from a comprehensive cancer center, designated by the American Cancer Society. The Comprehensive Cancer Centers are designated by the National Cancer Institute, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. All the centers, by state, are listed there.