Trial Information

Lung Cancer Informational Study (LCIS)

Many patients with advanced lung cancer and their caregivers struggle with treatment
decisions, such as when to say "enough." Patient preparation for facing termination of
cancer-directed therapy for the number one cause of cancer mortality for both men and women
in the U.S. is not well handled in most clinical practices. Sparse literature validates that
this concern is often denied by investigators. Failure to engage in a systematic, informed
decision-making process, even in the initial stage of treatment, may often result in
patients looking back and saying, "Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't make the same choice"
The long-term goal of this program of research is to enhance patient care for lung cancer by
oncology health professionals and to promote patient empowerment to make informed choices,
defined as the ability to actively understand and influence one's health status. For this
study, shared decision making is defined as a tailored, interactive process (emphasizing
beliefs/personal values) in which the patient is informed enough to ask pertinent questions
and to participate in the final decision at his/her own preference and comfort levels. The
intent is to test a decision aid for patients with advanced lung cancer to help facilitate
informed decisions about treatments that affect quality of life, including termination of
cancer-directed treatment.