How do the preferences of older Chinese women with operable breast cancer differ from their younger counterparts?

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>This study aims to investigate how the preferences of older women are different from their young counterparts.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Female patients with operable breast cancer diagnosed between September 2009 and August 2015 were recruited. Participants were invited to complete a questionnaire to score the importance of a list of items while deciding the surgical option (0 = entirely not important and 5 = extremely important).</p><h3>Results</h3><p>During the study period, 911 female patients with primary operable breast cancer received surgery in our unit. Of these, 837 patients had completed the questionnaire (participation rate 91.9%), among which 112 patients (13.4%) were aged 70 years and above. Concerns about a complete cure from cancer (mean score 4.64, standard deviation 0.62) and recurrence (mean score 4.65, standard deviation 0.66) were the two top-ranked items considered important by patients. Patients in the older age group assigned less importance to physical considerations (<em>P</em> < .001), complete cure from cancer (<em>P</em> = .042), and role of spouse and friends (<em>P</em> < .001) as compared with their young counterparts. By contrast, older patients considered side effects (<em>P</em> = .013) and accessibility of radiation (<em>P</em> = .002) as more important.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Identifying the factors influencing breast cancer treatment decisions helps healthcare professionals provide adequate information and support to older women in their decision-making process.</p>