Decision-making Process for Treatment Selection in Prostate Cancer Patients Who Chose Carbon Ion Radiotherapy

Abstract

Abstract

Purposes: Various treatment strategies are available for prostate cancer. Therefore, patients often have anxiety and emotional conflicts at the time of treatment selection. This study was aimed at identifying the decisionmaking process of patients who chose carbon ion radiotherapy and to examine the need for nursing support. Methods: The study was conducted in 14 patients who started receiving carbon ion radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer during the past 1 year. Data were analyzed using the modified grounded theory approach. Results: During this process, the patients were at first shocked by the diagnosis of cancer, but were then ready to acquire information on the treatment options available for prostate cancer. Thereafter, they were able to identify the value of treatments based on their beliefs, and were convinced that carbon ion radiotherapy was the optimal treatment. Conclusions: The characteristics of this decision-making process were that once they made up their minds, the decision of the patients remained unchanged, and they had made the decision with their post-treatment life in mind. It is important to support patients not only by caring for their physical needs, but also by understanding their mental state, so that they can make choices by keeping in mind their social life after treatment.