A NEW online tool for women recently diagnosed with early breast cancer aims to cut through the clutter of information to help them make informed decisions about their treatment.
Newcastle-based medical oncologist Dr Nick Zdenkowski, who helped to research and develop the My Neo Guide tool with Breast Cancer Trials, said the online platform aims to empower women in making their breast cancer treatment decisions.
"This is the latest in a long line of work to do with supporting patient decision making," Dr Zdenkowski said. "One of the principles of high quality patient care is that patients be kept at the centre of any decisions about them, and that they are able to engage in those decisions.
"But we know that breast cancer care is very complicated, and that patients find it very difficult to become as involved and informed as they would like to be.
"In response to that we have developed a decision support tool specifically looking at one of the tougher decisions if they have early stage breast cancer - whether they should have chemotherapy before or after surgery."
Dr Zdenkowski said the initiative provides patient information in a very tailored and approachable way.
"It's a free resource, it is open access, and it is building on a body of research work to give patients an understanding of their situation to help them make decisions about their treatment based on their own personal values and preferences, and what's most important for them," he said.
An earlier paper version of the guide is still being distributed for those who prefer a hard copy. But the online platform was "much more tailored" to the patient, and they could work through it on their own device, phone, tablet or PC.
"They answer some very straight forward questions and then the relevant information regarding what sort of surgery, what sort of breast cancer, is filtered down to them," Dr Zdenkowski said.
"It cuts through all the information and noise. Then they can make notes within it that they can take to their doctor to discuss."
The online tool had already been met with enthusiasm from doctors, surgeons, breast care nurses and, importantly, patients.
"It gives them time, an approachable language, and an approachable format with pictures and diagrams so they don't get overwhelmed with all the information or the jargon," he said.
"They come out the other side much more comfortable and confident in their treatment choice. And they have said it has also been good for their friends and family because it saves them having to explain what they are doing, and why, again and again."
Find out more at myneoguide.com.
