Involvement levels of breast cancer patients—Seeking trusted hospital and physician

The active involvement levels of breast cancer patients (BCP) in treatment decisions range from 10% to 81%. We investigated the involvement levels of 179 Israeli breast cancer survivors, aged 30 to 81, in the choice of hospital, surgeon, surgical procedure, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. High involvement was documented in location decisions (operating hospital 77%, chemotherapy facility 82%) as opposed to low involvement in treatment decisions (chemotherapy 30%-38%, radiotherapy 25%, surgical procedure 31%). Involvement was influenced by hospital and surgeon reputation, education level, and income. BCPs actively choose their treating facility and staff, and then follow their doctor's recommendations.