• Steffensen, Karina Dahl
• Jensen, Pernille Tine
• Kargo, Anette
• Coulter, Angela

Abstract

Background: The majority of patients with ovarian cancer (OC) are diagnosed with advanced disease (70-80 %) and will experience disease relapse with only limited curative potential. Early initiation of relapse treatment based on rising CA125 alone does not improve survival. Increasing CA125 can be detected months before symptoms arise and recurrence is visible on imaging. Therefore, biochemical detection of potential relapse by CA125 assessment can cause significant distress. A decision aid (DA) is a tool that provides information and describes advantages and disadvantages of a specific intervention thereby facilitating patient’s involvement in decision making. The present study develops and validates a DA in decision-making on CA125 monitoring during follow-up after OC treatment.<br/>Methods: Development of the DA was conducted in collaboration with clinicians, patients with OC, representatives from patient organisations and cancer societies. First, a focus group of seven former OC patients was performed followed by a quantitative rating of the DA pilot version. The DA was adapted accordingly and then tested in 14 OC patients with recurrence using a structured interview guide (alpha testing). A final adaptation was done and the DA is now ready for testing on real-time patients (beta test).<br/>Results: The alpha test showed that patients had a good understanding of the information provided in the DA. In total, 10 of the patients indicated that the DA helped clarifying what was important,and 12 patientsagreed that the DA prepared them to make a better decision andhelped themreflecting on their concerns regarding CA125.<br/>Conclusion: The DA was useful in decision making regarding monitoring CA125 during follow up after OC. The majority of participants indicated that the DA was helpful in clarifying their concerns and would be helpful in making a better decision. The effectiveness of the DA will be tested in beta test. <br/>

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy