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Barriers to information provision regarding breast cancer and its treatment

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Abstract

Purpose

Women with breast cancer require information about their cancer and its treatment during the process of treatment decision-making, yet it is unclear if there are barriers to information support. This study explores the experience of making treatment decisions in breast cancer, paying particular attention to the barriers experienced to the provision of information.

Methods

Using a grounded theory methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 women with invasive breast cancer exploring the experience of treatment decision-making. Data was organized using ATLAS.ti software and analyzed using constant comparisons.

Results

Analysis of the data showed that barriers to cancer and treatment information include intrapersonal and interpersonal communication challenges (emotional distress, patient-provider communication, “making it personal,” access to information) which reside at different levels of the breast cancer experience (individual, dyad, group, organization). A model is provided to depict this experience.

Conclusions

Women want information about their cancer and its treatment and experience barriers to information provision at various levels. Satisfactory information provision cannot occur without addressing barriers at every level. Utilizing interprofessional models of care may minimize existing barriers to information provision and empower patients to make satisfying treatment decisions that are consistent with their individual wishes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, PsycHealth Centre, University of Manitoba, PZ433-711 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Canada

    Heather J. Campbell-Enns & Harvey M. Chochinov

  2. Manitoba Palliative Care Research Unit, CancerCare Manitoba, ON317-675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, R3E0V9, Canada

    Heather J. Campbell-Enns & Harvey M. Chochinov

  3. College of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Helen Glass Centre for Nursing, University of Manitoba, 89 Curry Place, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Canada

    Roberta L. Woodgate

Authors
  1. Heather J. Campbell-Enns
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  2. Roberta L. Woodgate
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  3. Harvey M. Chochinov
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heather J. Campbell-Enns.

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Campbell-Enns, H.J., Woodgate, R.L. & Chochinov, H.M. Barriers to information provision regarding breast cancer and its treatment. Support Care Cancer 25, 3209–3216 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3730-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3730-8

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