BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS PERSONALITY STYLE, AGE, AND TREATMENT DECISION-MAKING

Background: Previous studies have shown that whereas nearly all cancer patients want information, far fewer wish to make treatment decisions . Although breast cancer patients who were given a choice of lumpectom y versus mastectomy and were encouraged to make the decision were beli eved to do better psychologically, a 1994 study refuted this. Some aut hors suggest that patient personality style is an important considerat ion in decisional preference. Methods: Newly diagnosed breast cancer p atients (n = 76) were surveyed within 6 months of surgery. They answer ed seven questions about patient and physician roles in the decision-m aking process. Additionally, they completed the Miller Behavioral Styl e Scale (MBSS), which categorizes ''monitors,'' or information seekers , and ''blunters,'' or information avoiders. Chi-square analyses were used to explore the relationship of personality style and age to treat ment decision-making preferences. Results: Although 80% of women wante d a role in decision making, 74% wanted their surgeons to make a recom mendation and when given, 94% followed the recommended treatment plan. Monitors and blunters were equally likely to want physician recommend ations. Younger women, particularly those under age 40, were more Like ly to want a physician's recommendation. Of those women who had specif ic fears about their cancer (76%), only half of them revealed such fea rs to their doctors. Conclusions: The notion that health care consumer s, particularly younger ones, desire an independent choice of treatmen t was contradicted in this study. Physicians are encouraged to provide information and to probe regarding the fears of breast cancer patient s in order to reduce anxiety while recognizing that treatment recommen dations are desired by most women. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.