The survival advantages associated with different treatments for localized prostate cancer (PCa) continue to be uncertain. We evaluated patients' use of an interactive CD-ROM-based decision aid designed to improve informed decision making about PCa treatment. Newly diagnosed, early-stage PCa patients who had not made a treatment decision completed a baseline telephone interview (N = 132), were mailed the CD-ROM, and completed a one-month follow-up interview (N = 120; 91%). Compared to non-users (21%), CD-users (79%) preferred to make an independent rather than a shared treatment decision (OR = 3.5, CI 1.2,10.5). The majority of users (63%-90%) responded positively regarding the length and clarity of the information. Further, 76% reported using the CD as much/more than other information sources. A preference for having less decisional control predicted greater satisfaction with the CD (F[7,87] = 4.75, p< .05). Electronic utilization data revealed that the topics most accessed concerned treatment information and that users spent over an hour using the CD (median = 72 minutes). This electronic educational tool was well-accepted by patients and may be particularly useful for patients who desire less control over their treatment decisions and who are less proactive in seeking information on their own.
Objective
Screening asymptomatic men for prostate cancer is controversial and informed decision making is recommended. Within two prostate cancer screening programs, we evaluated the impact of a print-based decision aid (DA) on decision-making outcomes.
Methods
Men (N=543) were 54.9 (SD=8.1) years old and 61% were African-American. The 2 (booklet type: DA vs. usual care (UC)) × 2 (delivery mode: Home vs. Clinic) randomized controlled trial assessed decisional and screening outcomes at baseline, two-months, and 13-months.
Results
Intention-to-treat linear regression analyses using generalized estimating equations revealed that DA participants reported improved knowledge relative to UC (B=.41, p<.05). For decisional conflict, per-protocol analyses revealed a group by time interaction (B = −.69, p<.05), indicating that DA participants were less likely to report decisional conflict at two-months compared to UC participants (OR=.49, 95% CI: .26–.91, p<.05).
Conclusion
This is the first randomized trial to evaluate a DA in the context of free mass screening, a challenging setting in which to make an informed decision. The DA was highly utilized by participants, improved knowledge and reduced decisional conflict.
Practice implications
These results are valuable in understanding ways to improve the decisions of men who seek screening and can be easily implemented within many settings.
Background
Lung cancer mortality is reduced via low-dose CT screening and treatment of early-stage disease. Evidence-based smoking cessation treatment in the lung screening setting can further reduce mortality. We report the results of a cessation trial from the NCI’s SCALE collaboration.
Methods
Eligible patients (N = 818) aged 50–80 were randomized (May 2017-January 2021) to the Intensive vs. Minimal arms (8 vs. 3 phone sessions plus 8 vs. 2 weeks of nicotine patches, respectively). Bio-verified (primary) and self-reported 7-day abstinence rates were assessed 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-randomization. Logistic regression analyses evaluated the effects of study arm. All statistical tests were two-sided.
Results
Participants reported 48.0 (SD = 17.2) pack-years and 51.6% were not ready to quit in < 30 days. Self-reported 3-month quit rates were significantly higher in the Intensive vs. Minimal arm (14.3% vs. 7.9%; OR = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26,3.18). Bio-verified abstinence was lower but with similar relative differences between arms (9.1% vs. 3.9%; OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.44, 5.08). Compared to the Minimal arm, the Intensive arm was more effective among those with greater nicotine dependence (OR = 3.47, 95% CI = 1.55, 7.76), normal screening results (OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.32, 5.03), high engagement in counseling (OR = 3.03, 95% CI = 1.50, 6.14) and patch use (OR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.39, 5.68). Abstinence rates did not differ significantly between arms at 6-months (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.68, 2.11) or 12-months (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.82, 2.42).
Conclusions
Delivering intensive telephone counseling and nicotine replacement with lung screening is an effective strategy to increase short-term smoking cessation. Methods to maintain short-term effects are needed. Even with modest quit rates, integrating cessation treatment into lung screening programs may have a large impact on tobacco-related mortality.
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