Conflict accompanying the choice of initial treatment in breast cancer patients

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study is to reveal the state of conflict accompanied by the choice of initial treatment in breast cancer patients, and to clarify the factors affecting conflict. Methods: The subjects were female breast cancer patients, to whom options for initial treatment were presented by a physician. The data were collected using questionnaires based on the following scales: Psychological Resilience Scale, Japanese Decisional Conflict Scale, satisfaction with decision-making, and Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale Japanese version. Results: The mean factor score of decisional conflict was 2.36, indicating moderate conflict. A subscale of the Psychological Resilience Scale "positive future orientation" was weakly related to subscales of the Decisional Conflict Scale, "feeling unsupported by others" (rs=-0.31, P<0.05) and "lack of advice about the decision" (rs=-0.27, P<0.05). "Lack of advice about the decision", "feeling unsupported by others" and "perception of the quality of decision made" were strongly related to satisfaction and "fighting spirit". Conclusion: It was speculated that only the fact of information acquisition and clarification of values are not sufficient and that patients need to be sure that they are receiving actual advice and support. © 2012 Japan Academy of Nursing Science.