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The aim of this study was to explore Jordanian women's experiences of information exchange following diagnosis of early stage breast cancer. A purposive sample of 28 women who had surgery for early stage breast cancer within 6 months prior to the interview and had treatment at three hospitals in Central and Northern Jordan was recruited for the study. Data were collected using semi-structured individual interviews focused on women's communication experiences at diagnosis and during cancer treatment. Interviews were audio taped, transcribed verbatim in Arabic, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Three main themes associated with information exchange were revealed as follows: (1) knowledge about breast cancer and its treatment, (2) communication of cancer diagnosis and treatment, and (3) educating on treatment side effects. Misconceptions about breast cancer risk factors, consequences of breast cancer treatment, and breast cancer-related symptoms were common among participants. Women made important health-related decisions based on misconceptions. Physician's information giving, availability, and responses to women's questions varied by their level of education and the type and location of treatment facility. Informational exchange experiences vary among Jordanian women diagnosed with breast cancer and raise concern over opportunities offered these women to engage in informed decision making. Findings suggest a need for nurses to assess the information needs of Jordanian women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and provide education tailored to individual needs. There is also a need to develop Arabic educational materials and make these available for patients at treatment facilities in all regions of Jordan.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate women who have completed hereditary cancer risk assessment and BRCA genetic testing to determine if they considered themselves prepared to proceed with decision making regarding cancer screening and prevention options. Levels of decisional conflict were explored, as was their preference for information delivery. The prospective, descriptive survey was conducted at a breast and clinical genetics clinic at a comprehensive cancer center in the northeastern United States. Twenty-seven female participants completed the Preparation for Decision Making scale, Decisional Conflict Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Scores were consistent with high levels of preparation for decision making and low decisional conflict. The face-to-face approach was the preferred method for information delivery. Subgroup analysis demonstrated a difference in the measured objectives based on cancer status but not based on BRCA status. The current information delivery approach is meeting the decision-making needs of women considered to be at increased risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Purpose/objectives: To examine the extent to which shared decision making is a concept addressed within the published, empirical oncology decision-making research originating from non-Western countries from January 2000 to January 2012 and provide an overview of the outcomes of this research., Data Sources: MEDLINE®, CINAHL®, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched for oncology decision-making literature published in English from January 2000 to January 2012., Data Synthesis: Charles's three-stage conceptual framework of shared decision making was used as an organizational framework for the 26 articles meeting the initial criteria and reporting on at least one decision-making stage., Conclusions: Although most patients wanted to be informed of their diagnosis, patient preferences for information and participation in decision making differed from that of physicians and varied among and within cultures. Few studies in this review addressed all three stages of shared decision making. Physician and patient attitudes, preferences, and facilitators and barriers to potential successful adoption of shared decision making in non-Western cultures require additional study., Implications for Nursing: Nurses should assess patients from non-Western countries regarding their knowledge of and desire to participate in shared decision making and provide decision support as needed., Knowledge Translation: Shared decision making may be new to patients from non-Western cultures, necessitating assessment, education, and support. Non-Western patients may value having family and friends accompany them when a cancer diagnosis is given, but assumptions based on culture alone should not be made. Nurses should determine patient preferences for diagnosis disclosure, information, and participation in decision making.

Objective: To review and critique the published empirical research on decision aids for women actually facing surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer, synthesize findings across studies related to outcomes of decision aids use with specific attention to the influence of system and client characteristics, and identify opportunities for further research., Methods: A systematic and reproducible search was carried out to identify studies evaluating decision aids for women making breast cancer surgical treatment decisions. All included studies were appraised., Results: Most studies evaluated the outcomes of decision aids use in terms of final treatment decisions, patients' knowledge of treatment options, anxiety, decisional conflict, satisfaction and quality of life. Included studies varied in design, measures used to assess effectiveness, format of the aids, patient populations and clinical settings. Studies yielded mixed results related to the effect of the decision aids on the outcomes measured., Conclusion: Despite the mixed findings of the studies, some support exists for the use of decision aids with women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer., Practice Implications: To ensure successful implementation of decision aids in clinical practice, healthcare providers should be educated on their use. Greater allocation of time, space and access to decision aids is also needed., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This article reports on a qualitative, longitudinal follow-up of a cohort of breast cancer survivors through which their pretreatment psychological adjustment thought processes and behaviors were compared with those 2 years following diagnosis. Analysis revealed five interrelated themes reflecting changing thought processes and behaviors over time. Quantitative measures of psychological adjustment at 2 years were consistent with the qualitative findings in some respects; however, the concepts measured by these tools were inconsistent with themes identified through qualitative analysis. Findings support a need to study ways to assess women's psychosocial needs and intervene to support adjustment among 2-year breast cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose/Objectives: To explore the pretreatment thoughts and behaviors of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer regarding their surgical treatment decision-making experience.Research Approach: Qualitative, descriptive.Setting: A multispecialty breast center in the midwestern region of the United States.Participants: 18 English-speaking women, aged 37-87 years, mean of 12 days postdiagnosis of clinical stage 0-11 breast cancer.Methodologic Approach: Open to semistructured interviews were conducted during the period following surgical consultation but prior to surgical treatment. Transcribed interviews, originally analyzed to identify the psychological processes of women in response to breast cancer diagnosis, were additionally analyzed using directed content analysis focusing on women's thoughts and behaviors related to their surgical treatment decision-making process.Main Research Variables: Breast cancer surgery and decision making pretreatment.Findings: Women's pretreatment thoughts and behaviors related to surgical treatment decision making were characterized by information processing, contemplating options, and interacting with others. Breast cancer information was used by women before the surgical consultation and after treatment decisions had been made. Treatment options were contemplated and preferences formed often before the initial surgical consultation. Women associated having options with a better prognosis. Age was a factor primarily in the type of information women desired.Conclusions: Most women made their own surgical treatment decisions with ease, supported by the confidence instilled by their surgeons and oncology nurses.Interpretation: The findings provide oncology nurses with insight regarding women's desire for and use of information and their contemplation of surgical options, therefore suggesting areas on which to focus clinical assessment and to test tailored interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]