The Process of Decision-making Regarding Surgical Treatment by Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the decision-making process regarding surgical treatment in patients with early breast cancer, and to suggest nursing interventions to facilitate this process. The participants of the study were 18 women who were offered a choice between breast conserving surgery and mastectomy. The data were collected using a semi-structured interview and participant observation, so as to clarify the feelings and ideas of these subjects concerning the treatment options offered. We used qualitative data analyses. As a result, four types of processes were identified; carrying her hope through-type, gradual consent type, agitation-type and confusion-type. Each of these types of processes was structured into five phases: initial reaction, question against initial reaction, idea about undergoing surgical treatment, decision conflict, and final selection of the type of surgery. The findings indicated that the following nursing interventions might facilitate the decision-making process, as follows: early provision of correct information regarding each option, clarifying each subject's values of the breast and views of life, and emotional support to facilitate the difficult decision-making process.