Information needs and preference for information of women with breast cancer over a first course of radiation therapy

The study assessed the information needs of women receiving a course of rad iation therapy (RT) for breast cancer and the relationship between informat ion needs and preference for information. Thirty-three women were interview ed during the first (T1), third (T2), and last week of RT (T3), and one mon th later (T4) using the Toronto Informational Needs Questionnaire-Breast Ca ncer and the Information Subscale of the Health Opinion Survey. Information need scores were high and did not differ significantly across time, Inform ation need and preference for information were correlated only at T1. Findi ngs indicate that women with breast cancer receiving RT have high informati on needs and preference for information may not be a meaningful indicator o f their desire for information. Health care providers need to assess the wo men's information needs frequently and be prepared to offer on-going educat ional support. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.