90% of Patients Prioritize Quality of Life over Extending Survival

A new study in JAMA Oncology shows that "fewer than 1 in 10 older adults with advanced cancer participating ... prioritizes extending survival over maintaining QoL." But their cancer treatment does not reflect this, "suggesting a possible lack of responsiveness of the current oncology care delivery system to patient preference."

An accompanying editorial notes that "patients face complex decision-making concerns when offered treatment that may extend survival but could have adverse and treatment-related adverse effects that impact QOL. These trade-offs underscore the need for person-centered care with a shared decision-making approach that aligns treatment decisions with patients’ unique needs, values, and preferences."

I argued for just this in the ASCO Post. And I continue to push (see here) for wider use of shared decision making and patient decision aids, especially in oncology. The right cancer treatment is value congruent. Treatment inconsistent with patient preferences is medical error and should be treated as a patient safety problem.