Last reviewed: January 2008
For general information about Cancerbackup's Discussion topics please see the introductory page.
Today’s approach to healthcare is different from that of years ago. Then a doctor would suggest a course of action for the illness concerned, and the patient would follow it. This paternalistic approach to health care is now being replaced in many instances by shared and informed decision making (1).
Information about illness and possible treatments is readily available for those who want it. Many people wish to be more informed and involved in the choices they make regarding their health. This includes preventative health measures (such as screening, diet and vaccinations) as well as diagnostic procedures and treatment options.
A person diagnosed with cancer often has a number of options open to them. These can include:
- whether or not to have treatment
- which treatment to have
- when (and perhaps where) to have treatment.
People need information presented in a way they can understand to help them make the decision that is right for them. This includes information about the possible benefits or side effects (risks) of a treatment or procedure. Explaining risks and benefits is one of the most challenging areas of communication (2). There are many factors which influence understanding of risk and benefit and these are likely to change over time.
There is no right way to discuss risk and benefit. In oncology, how information is presented can depend on the nature of the cancer and the aims of the intervention. Also, different people need different information in order for them to make a decision, and this may vary in its amount and complexity.
It is important that health professionals provide information in a way that is understandable to the patient and their carers. This paper discusses some of the issues surrounding the communication of risk and benefit in the context of treatment decision making.