TREATMENT DECISION-MAKING AND ADJUSTMENT TO BREAST-CANCER - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

This study monitored women (N = 76) with breast cancer from diagnosis through 1 year, and tested constructs from subjective expected utility theory with regard to their ability to predict patients' choice of su rgical treatment as well as psychological distress and well-being over time. Women's positive expectancies for the consequences of treatment generally were maintained in favorable perceptions of outcome in seve ral realms (i.e., physician agreement, likelihood of cancer cure or re currence, self-evaluation, likelihood of additional treatment, partner support for option, attractiveness to partner). Assessed before the s urgical decision-making appointment, women's expectancies for conseque nces of the treatment options, along with age, correctly classified 94 % of the sample with regard to election of mastectomy versus breast-co nserving procedures. Calculated from the point of decision making to 3 months later, expectancy disconfirmations and value discrepancies con cerning particular treatment consequences predicted psychological adju stment 3 months and 1 year after diagnosis.