APHA
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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
5107.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 12:30 PM

Abstract #104806

Special needs for decision support in older and minority women with breast cancer

Barbara A. Kreling, MS, Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 317, Washington, DC 20007, 202-687-9613, bk72@georgetown.edu

Women 65 and older account for two-thirds of the deaths from breast cancer. Of concern, older women and minority women are less likely than younger, white women to receive indicated chemotherapy, a therapy which may increase survival. In order to understand how and why their treatment choices are made, a qualitative method was used to explore the experiences of a multi-ethnic sample of 35 women after they were diagnosed with breast cancer and while they were making treatment decisions. Themes include: exaggerated negative expectations of chemotherapy by older women, preferred medium and type of information, effective and ineffective communication with physicians; how age, race, and class affect decision-making. Breast cancer survivors were interviewed in six focus groups and provided in-depth knowledge about the promoters and barriers, issues, and concerns involved in their treatment decisions. When analyzed, the role of age in decision-making was explored and deconstructed to form a model of how age, race, and class impact negative expectations, information seeking, and physician communication in treatment decision-making for breast cancer. Providers are encouraged to: identify negative expectations and rely less on written information for older and minority patients who may have exaggerated negative expectations and be less assertive in information seeking.

Learning Objectives:

  • Learning Objectives