Factors Influencing Treatment Decisions among Breast Cancer Patients in the Philippine General Hospital Cancer Institute—Medical Oncology Outpatient Clinic

Abstract

Introduction Breast cancer is a chronic disease and its treatment decisions exist over a relatively long time period. This study was done to identify factors influencing treatment decisions among breast cancer patients in the Philippine General Hospital Cancer Institute–Medical Oncology Outpatient Clinic. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study that made use of a questionnaire and structured interview. Descriptive statistics were utilized in the analysis of the data. This allowed identification of patient demographics, economic profile, cancer profile, sources of financial or medical assistance, and summary of patient’s responses to identify the factors influencing treatment decisions among breast cancer patients. Results A total of 272 participants were included. This study identified the following factors as having influence on treatment decisions: high level of satisfaction to the consultation with their attending physician, caring and sincere communication about prognosis and likelihood of benefit from treatment, family as person of influence, the patient’s collaborative role in the decision making process, the desire of cure, and trust with their doctors. Conclusion Health practices and treatment decisions among Filipino breast cancer patients are widely affected by an interplay of the following factors: family, community, doctor’s recommendations, patient’s satisfaction and participation in the decision-making, health care access, and adverse treatments.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• treatment decisions
• factors