Treatment priorities in oncology: do we want to live longer or better?

• Published in: Clinics (São Paulo, Brazil) Brazil), 2014-08, Vol.69 (8), p.509-514
• Main Authors: Marta, Guilherme Nader, Del Nero, Luís G, Marta, Gustavo Nader, Mangabeira, Andrea, Critchi, Gabriela, Kovács, Maria J, da Silva, João Luis Fernandes, Saad, Everardo D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Brazil; Clinical Science; Cross-Sectional Studies; Decision Making; Female; Health Personnel - psychology; Humans; Longevity; Male; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Neoplasms - psychology; Neoplasms - therapy; Oncology; Quality of Life; Quality of Life - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survival; Survival - psychology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1807-5932; 1980-5322; 1980-5322
• DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2014(08)02

Despite the progress achieved in the fight against cancer over the past several years, assessing the needs, goals and preferences of patients with cancer is of the utmost importance for the delivery of health care. We sought to assess priorities regarding quantity versus quality of life among Brazilian patients, comparing them with individuals without cancer. Using a questionnaire presenting four hypothetical cancer cases, we interviewed cancer patients, oncology health-care professionals and laypersons, most of whom had administrative functions in our hospital. A total of 214 individuals participated: 101 patients, 44 health-care professionals and 69 laypersons. The mean ages in the three groups were 56, 34 and 31 years old, respectively (p