Video

The Importance of Shared Decision Making in Cancer Care

Author(s):

Thomas Butler, M.D.

Thomas Butler, M.D., medical oncologist at the University of Southern Alabama, Mitchell Cancer Institute, discusses the importance of shared decision making in cancer care.

Thomas Butler, M.D., medical oncologist at the University of Southern Alabama, Mitchell Cancer Institute, discusses the importance of shared decision making in cancer care.

To ensure that both the patient and the health care team is making a joint decision regarding treatment, it is crucial that both parties have an understanding of the benefits and side effects of treatment. Butler also mentioned that this conversation is important because quality of life should be a key factor in treatment decision making — especially when cure is not an option.

Newsletter

Stay up to date on cancer updates, research and education

Subscribe Now!
Related Videos
Image of 2 doctors and text.
Image of two doctors and text.
Image of man.
Image of thumbnail.
Patients can prepare personal overviews to help care teams connect with them as individuals, explained Michelle Kirschner in an interview with CURE.
Enhertu with Perjeta nearly doubled progression-free survival versus standard treatment in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, study shows.
Expanding on a New Way to Manage Polycythemia Vera Without Iron Deficiency
Image of woman.
Image of two people.
Image of doctor.
Related Content
Dr. Suresh S. Ramalingam explains that patients with stage 3 lung cancer who undergo chemotherapy and radiation may develop radiation pneumonitis.
May 7th 2025

Managing Lung Inflammation After Chemoradiation and Tagrisso

Dr. Suresh S. Ramalingam
Dr. Suresh S. Ramalingam explains that patients with stage 3 lung cancer who undergo chemotherapy and radiation may develop radiation pneumonitis.
CURE spoke with Dr. Michael K. Wong and Dr. Diwakar Davar about the use of ctDNA for patients with melanoma, and where the field may be headed.
April 11th 2025

What Role May ctDNA Have in Melanoma Management?

Dr. Michael K. Wong
CURE spoke with Dr. Michael K. Wong and Dr. Diwakar Davar about the use of ctDNA for patients with melanoma, and where the field may be headed.
image of dr. Lillian Siu.
April 3rd 2025

Breaking Down Early Signs and Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer

Dr Lillian Siu
April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, and it is important to be aware of early signs and symptoms of the disease, as well as when to seek care.
Artificial Intelligence Enhances Polyp Detection in Colorectal Cancer
March 6th 2025

Artificial Intelligence Enhances Polyp Detection in Colorectal Cancer

Ryan Scott
Artificial intelligence aids in polyp detection, enhancing colonoscopy effectiveness and reducing the risk of colorectal cancer progression in patients.
Image of Dr. Fakih.
February 27th 2025

ctDNA Alone ‘Not Sufficient’ When Monitoring Patients With Colorectal Cancer

Dr. Marwan Fakih
The addition of ctDNA testing to radiographic surveillance resulted in curative surgical intervention for 1.6% of patients with colorectal cancer.
Image of doctor with brown hair.
February 25th 2025

Some KRAS Mutations Associated With Worse Outcomes in Pancreatic Cancer

Dr. Vaia Florou
In patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, KRAS G12D and G12V mutations hare associated with worse patient outcomes, researchers have found.