title: Caring About Women and Cancer (CAWAC): a European survey of the perspectives and experiences of women with female cancers.
abstract: This paper reports on the findings of the largest ever European survey of female patients' perceptions of their cancer treatment. It has provided clarification of what women consider important in relation to their management and has identified several areas where more research is needed. It has shown that women's knowledge about cancer before diagnosis is poor and the number undergoing regular screening could be improved. Women are not being adequately prepared and educated about what to expect from treatment and steps should be taken as a matter of urgency to redress this shortcoming. It was revealed that whilst families were the primary source of support to female cancer patients, women also derive considerable support from healthcare professionals, particularly senior doctors; more attention should be paid by specialists and nurses to developing psychological skills to cope with this. In this context, further research is needed into how support groups may best meet patient needs.
authors.affiliation: European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Veronesi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: von Kleist
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Redmond
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Delvaux
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Freilich
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glaus
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: McVie
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Macnamara
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meunier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pecorelli
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Serin
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D012944:Social Support