Breast Cancer Patients' Preferences for Truth Versus Hope Are Dynamic and Change During Late Lines of Palliative Chemotherapy

Abstract

ContextWomen with metastatic breast cancer often receive many lines of palliative chemotherapy, which might be beneficial but also harmful. Still, little is known about the patients' perception of the patient-doctor communication regarding late lines of noncurative treatment. ObjectivesOur aim was to explore breast cancer patients' preferences and perceptions of patient-doctor communication regarding continuous late lines of palliative chemotherapy. Patients and MethodsA qualitative study was conducted with semiguided face-to-face interviews with 20 women, 40–80 years old, on at least their second line of palliative chemotherapy (second to eighth line). We used a qualitative conventional content analysis. ResultsAll women knew they had incurable breast cancer but expressed hope for cure. Patients' definition of a good compassionate doctor was one who gives positive news and leaves room for hope. Ongoing chemotherapy, positive news from the doctors, and support from relatives encouraged hope. The women often expressed they accepted chemotherapy to please their doctor and relatives. The informants appreciated the doctor to be honest, but within positive limits. Over time, they stopped asking questions afraid of getting bad news, and left more and more treatment decisions to the doctor. ConclusionsThe women's preferences for truth versus hope in patient-doctor communication changed over time, which increase the risk for continuous late lines of palliative chemotherapy by common collusion. Doctors need to individualize information, help patients make sense of their life, and allow hope to endure without further chemotherapy.