Evidence Summary
What is an Evidence Summary?
Key messages from scientific research that's ready to be acted on
Got It, Hide thisDecision aids improve knowledge in people making decisions about cancer screening or early cancer treatment
Trikalinos TA, Wieland LS, Adam GP, et al. Decision Aids for Cancer Screening and Treatment AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Reviews. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2014 Dec. Report No: 15-EHC002-EF.
Review question
Do decision aids help people make decisions about cancer screening, cancer prevention, or treatment for early cancer?
Background
There are often both harms and benefits to consider when making decisions about screening for cancer and treatment for cancer. Decision aids provide information to help people take an active role in making informed decisions about their health care options with the help of their health care providers. They can help by increasing people’s knowledge of what’s involved, what’s at stake, and what options are available. Thus, decision aids make people feel more informed when making health care decisions.
How the review was done
The researchers did a systematic review, searching for published studies of decision aids up to June 2014. They found 68 randomized controlled trials of 25,337 people.
In the trials, people were making decisions about screening or early cancer treatment for breast, prostate, colon, ovarian, cervical, or thyroid cancer. Decision aids were provided at the time of the actual decision.
Types of decision aids included audio and visual media, software or websites, printed materials, option grids, and in-person education.
What the researchers found
Compared with not using decision aids, the use of decision aids:
- increased people’s knowledge about the different options;
- slightly reduced decisional conflict (feeling uninformed); and
- did not affect anxiety.
Conclusions
In people who have to make a decision about screening for cancer or early treatment for cancer, decision aids increase knowledge about the different options and reduce the number of people who feel uninformed or unclear about their options. Use of decision aids did not affect anxiety.
Use of decision aids vs not using decision aids for making decisions about screening for cancer or early treatment for cancer
| Outcomes | Number of trials (number of people) | Effect of using decision aids vs no decision aids | Quality of evidence |
| Knowledge | 38 trials (12,484 people) | Knowledge increased | High |
| Decisional conflict (feeling uninformed) | 28 trials (7923 people) | People felt slightly more informed ( about 2 to 10 points out of 100) | Moderate |
| Anxiety | 12 trials (2958 people) | Anxiety did not differ between groups | High |
Glossary
Studies where people are assigned to one of the treatments purely by chance.
A comprehensive evaluation of the available research evidence on a particular topic.
Related Evidence Summaries
-
In adults with pre-hypertension to established hypertension, Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) may be the most effective non-drug strategy for reducing blood pressure
Journal of the American Heart Association (2020) -
Deprescribing can reduce the number of inappropriate medications taken by older patients, and may increase longevity
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2016) -
Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2016)
Related Web Resources
-
Breast cancer: Risks and benefits, age 50-69
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health CareYour risk of dying from breast cancer is slightly reduced if you have regular screening. However, regular screening increases your chance of a false positive result, a biopsy and having part or all of a breast removed unnecessarily. -
Breast cancer: Patient algorithm
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health CareThe Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends women between 50 and 74 years old who are not at high risk get screened for breast cancer every 2 to 3 years. Talk to your doctor about screening options if you are at high risk or over 74 years old. -
Breast cancer: Patient FAQ
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health CareThis resource includes frequently asked questions about breast cancer, including: Who is considered high risk? What are the harms associated with mammography? and Why is routine screening NOT recommended for women 40-49 years?
Register for free access to all Professional content
RegisterOur Content
About
Support for the Portal is largely provided by the Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative. AGE-WELL is a contributing partner. Help us to continue to provide direct and easy access to evidence-based information on health and social conditions to help you stay healthy, active and engaged as you grow older. Donate Today.
