Women's decision-making related to early breast cancer

Breast cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality each year in Australian women. Approximately 4,000 women each year are diagnosed with early breast cancer. The early\ud diagnosis of this disease allows more options for women and their doctors in choosing breast cancer treatment. Women are therefore able to choose treatment, which addresses\ud their values and preferences. However, after a breast cancer diagnosis women experience high levels of stress and are unsure of what process to use to make a decision about their medical treatment. During this stressful time women often seek assistance from nurses to help them with their decision-making process. Unfortunately, very little is known about women's decision-making relating to treatment and consequently, nurses do not have any guides to structure this care. This poster will present a research study in progress which investigates Queensland women's decision styles, distress levels and decision satisfaction\ud related to decision-making concerning early breast cancer treatment