title: Information needs and preferences of women as they proceed through radiotherapy for breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While radiotherapy is commonly employed in the treatment of breast cancer, many women know little about treatment and experience treatment related anxiety. The aims of this study were to: Prioritise breast cancer patients' radiotherapy related information needs and concerns; determine unmet information needs; ascertain which information sources patients prefer to receive; and explore whether information provision reduces anxiety and depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  A longitudinal survey was administered at four time points: after initial consultation with radiation oncologist, after the planning appointment, within first week of treatment and after treatment completion. Data was analysed using generalised estimating equations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  123 women participated. Women were most concerned about the impact treatment would have on their health in the future. Women identified high information needs prior to treatment planning and commencing treatment. Women's anxiety at baseline (mean=6.07, SD=3.89) did not significantly drop until after treatment commencement (mean=5.33, SD=4.15).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that women's information needs and anxiety levels are high until treatment commencement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to reduce patients' psychological distress, information needs and concerns we recommend that a greater focus is placed on providing information to patients prior to treatment planning and prior to treatment.
authors.affiliation: WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care/Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. g.halkett@curtin.edu.au
authors.forename: Georgia K B
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Halkett
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kristjanson
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lobb
authors.forename: Jonathon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Therese
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Mandy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Spry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001315:Australia; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003142:Communication; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires