title: Functional health literacy, chemotherapy decisions, and outcomes among a colorectal cancer cohort.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Functional health literacy is essential for the self-management of chronic diseases and preventive health behaviors. Patients with cancer who have a low level of health literacy may be at greater risk for poor care and poor outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed health literacy using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults in 347 participants with colorectal cancer who were nested within a prospective observational study of system, health care provider, and participant characteristics influencing cancer outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Having adequate health literacy increased the likelihood that participants with stage 3/4 disease received chemotherapy (odds ratio, 3.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-8.80) but had no effect on cancer stage at diagnosis or vital status at last observation during postenrollment follow-up. No difference was seen in health literacy status regarding participant beliefs and preferences about chemotherapy among those with stage 3/4 disease, nor in participant roles in deciding whether to receive chemotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with lower levels of health literacy were less likely to receive chemotherapy compared with participants with higher levels of health literacy. Therefore, clear communication related to key health care decisions may lead to fewer disparities due to a patient's level of health literacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599-7555. rsandler@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Evan L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Busch
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Darren A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: DeWalt
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Sandler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012648:Self Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents