Late-stage lung cancer patient preferences about chemotherapy treatment adverse side effects.

Abstract

93 Background: Patients’ preferences regarding treatment adverse events are not systematically considered when choosing a treatment for stage lung cancer. Further, there is no clinical guide for patients or physicians on how to integrate patient preferences of adverse events in treatment and care decisions. Although it is assumed that most cancer patients prefer either an active or a shared role in decision making, particularly in late stage cancers. Our specific aim of this abstract is: Aim: Determine whether individual patients’ preferences, characteristics, and treatment experiences affect the meaning of chemotherapy treatment success. Methods: We have completed two years of our three-year research using a mixed method study design, which includes focus groups, cross-sectional, prospective, and randomized experimental designs. We initially selected three cancer centers in Nebraska and one in South Dakota for patient and provider recruitment. Currently, we have six cancer centers participating in this multi-center Patient Centered Outcomes Research. Results: Four focus groups were conducted with 36 participants that included patients, family members and caregivers and oncology providers. Patients and caregivers confirmed that survival alone is not their measure of lung cancer treatment success Definition of treatment success should emphasize effective clinical guidance throughout treatment, symptom management, functionality, and quality of life Definition of treatment success evolves over time, appearing to be linked to patients’ experiences with chemotherapy. Participants advocated for better patient-provider communication practices as well as the expanded use of patient navigation and new patient orientation programs. Conclusions: Late stage lung cancer patients have definite opinions about the impact of adverse treatment effects on their quality of life.