Prostate Cancer

Treatment Preference and Patient Centered Prostate Cancer Care

Available treatment options for prostate cancer include surgery, radiation or active surveillance (i.e. close surveillance with discussed triggers for definitive intervention), all of which have implications for quality of life.

The appropriate treatment for your prostate cancer is dependent on the stage of cancer, your overall health, your medical history and your personal preferences. When you meet with your physician, your discussion of potential treatment options will encompass all of these important aspects.

This research study is focused on helping men to identify their prostate cancer treatment related preferences which will help initiate a patient-centered dialogue with their physician.

In this study, patients are randomized to one of two groups:
  1. 1. "usual care" in which you will meet with you doctor as scheduled, or
  2. 2. "usual care" and a computer-based decision tool.

This computer based decision tool asks a series of questions about your preferences about potential cancer treatments and their side effects. The goal of this decision tool is to help you clarify your values and concerns related to prostate cancer treatment. Each person randomized to complete this tool will be given a copy of their results, which include aspects of prostate cancer treatment that have been identified as most important based on individual patient preferences. You can use this information to guide your discussions with your doctors.

If you are assigned to the intervention group, you will complete the decision aid just before your appointment with your physician. This should take about 20 minutes to complete. In addition, all participants will complete questionnaires at baseline and at four follow-up points over a two year period. You will be given a gift cards for your time and effort.

For more info click here

For more information about the study or to find out if you are eligible, please call 215-573-2049 or email JiHyun.Kim@uphs.upenn.edu.

Enrolled participants click here.

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