BresDex


Cardiff University has been funded by Cancer Research UK and is working in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, the University of Oxford, and the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes to develop and evaluate a decision support intervention for women diagnosed with breast cancer.


Aim


To develop, validate, field test and evaluate the impact of interactive patient decision intervention focusing on surgical treatment choices for women newly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.


Background


Women diagnosed with early breast cancer can be given a choice of treatment options, the most common include either mastectomy or breast conservation surgery followed by radiotherapy. There is no difference in long-term survival between the two options. Women faced with these choices need high quality, accurate and understandable information about what each treatment involves and how they differ from each other. Women also need to be able to reflect on their personal views and values to make a choice that is best for them.


About the study


The research is a seven-step process: 1) systematic literature review, 2) & 3) qualitative studies to assess information needs of patients and professional, 4) prototype development and field-testing, 5) evaluation using in-depth interviews and online questionnaires, 6) dissemination and 7) maintenance of product and website.

The study is currently in the evaluation stage using in-depth interviews and being used by volunteers recruited in the Cardiff and Sheffield area.

To find out more about the study, email: bresdex@cardiff.ac.uk



Publications


Iredale R, Rapport F, Sivell S, Jones W, Edwards A, Gray J, Elwyn G. Exploring the requirements for a decision aid on familial breast cancer in the UK context: a qualitative study with patients referred to a cancer genetics service. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 14: 110-115, 2008.

Williams L, Jones W, Elwyn G, Edwards A. Interactive patient decision aids for women facing genetic testing for familial breast cancer: a systematic web and literature review. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 14: 70-74, 2008.

Rapport F, Iredale R, Jones W, Sivell S, Edwards A, Gray J, Elwyn G. Decision aids for familial breast cancer: exploring women's views using focus groups. Health Expectations, 9: 232-244, 2006.

Visit the site at: www.bresdex.com