Completed Research Project

Radiation therapy information for breast cancer patients: appropriate timing, sources and content

Investigators: Halkett G, Lobb EA, Hart R

Funding: Edith Cowan University Small Grants 2006, $4,969

Administering institution: Curtin University

Abstract:  Cancer patients require information about radiation therapy prior to making treatment decisions, to understand their treatment and to adequately manage their side effects. Previous research has  reported that  patients  require specific information relating to radiotherapy and its associated side effects; however, these studies fail to  describe patients’ specific information needs over time.  The aims of this study were to: determine the specific information needs of breast cancer patients who are receiving radiotherapy and identify when patients prefer to receive specific information. 

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 early breast cancer patients and 14 health professionals. Seventeen patients were interviewed after treatment completion and seventeen patients were interviewed on at least two of the following occasions during their radiotherapy: following their first appointment with their radiation  oncologist, following their treatment planning appointment, following the first day of treatment, and after treatment completion. Grounded theory and the constant comparative method were used to analyse the data.

Results:  Three main categories emerged from the data: Repertoire of information, Amount of information relating specifically to radiotherapy and Tailoring information to match patients’ radiotherapy journeys. Patients’ information needs were identified and key messages and strategies to inform patients were determined.  

Conclusion: This study identified breast cancer patient’s specific information needs during radiotherapy and showed that patients’ information needs are highest at the time of their first appointment with their radiation oncologist and at the time of their planning appointment. The results of this study were then used to develop a questionnaire to determine the information needs of a larger sample of breast cancer patients. Following the completion of the questionnaires, an educational intervention will be developed and tested for this population of patients.