Knowledge and Attitude of Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients and Their Accompanying Attendants About Multimodality Treatment for Breast Cancer.

Abstract

IntroductionThis study was done to estimate the level of knowledge and attitude about the multimodality treatment (MMT) of breast cancer among the newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and accompanying attendants. Apart from the lack of knowledge, it is equally important to consider their accompanying attendant's knowledge, which changes the patient's attitude.MethodologyThis was a cross-sectional analytic study, including all newly diagnosed breast cancer patients of age above 18 years. The initial questionnaire one (Q1) was about their overall knowledge of carcinoma breast treatment options. Subsequent questionnaire two (Q2) were asked about MMT for breast cancer at eliciting their attitudes about MMT. After explaining about MMT for breast cancer, they were asked to indicate if they had a positive/negative attitude about MMT by questionnaire three (Q3).ResultsA total of 84 patients was included in the study. The results indicate a significant association between the relation of the attendant to the patient and their level of knowledge of MMT (p<0.001). Approximately 62% of study patients preferred a passive role in making their treatment decisions of MMT, with nearly 26.2% preferring their treating doctor to make all decisions while 36.7% preferred decisions by accompanying attendants. None of the patients had a negative attitude about MMT.ConclusionThe treating surgeon should analyse the patient's knowledge of MMT and their attitude toward involving their accompanying attendants in making MMT decisions. It is necessary to administer adequate knowledge regarding MMT and discuss the various treatment options for breast cancer with the ailing patient, along with the accompanying attendants.