Shared Decision Making in Colorectal Cancer

Shared decision making between physician and patient is very common, says John L. Marshall, chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Georgetown University Hospital, associate director, Clinical Research, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Most patients want to choose a therapy based solely on efficacy, but, as a physician, I need to be sure they’re aware of toxicities, cost, and more.

“[A]ll these things do come into one big decision plan before I make the final decision about which treatment to choose,” Cathy Eng, professor and director, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says.