Sharing the Decision Slide Set: Slide 43

Talking Points and Text Description of Slide

Slide 43 — Discuss His Questions and Concerns

Talking Points

After giving a patient information about prostate cancer, the next step is to answer questions and address concerns.

It is important to recognize that many men have misconceptions about prostate cancer. Often, cancer sounds more important than any other health concern. Help him understand that it is an important issue for men's health, but so are many others. Help him understand that issues regarding prostate cancer and its detection and treatment may be different than he thinks. Many men with prostate cancer do not die from it, even without treatment. But prostate cancer can kill, so it is important to be well informed because he should help decide what is best for him.

Tell him there is no rush to make a decision. Give him time to think or learn more. Tell him that you can discuss it again and decide at a later visit. Offer him a decision aid to take home. Suggest that he may want to discuss it with family members.

He may be surprised that you are not telling him what is best. Tell him that his opinion is important. Let's now turn to that issue.

Sources: Access information about informing your patients in the Screening for Prostate Cancer Toolkit; Davison et al., 1999; Flood et al., 1996; Frosch et al., 2001; Schapira et al., 2000; Volk et al., 1999; Wilt et al., 2001; Wilkins et al., 1999; Wolf et al., 1996; Wolf et al., 1998; Chan et al., 2001; O'Dell et al., 1999; Woolf, 1997; Farrell et al., 2002; National Cancer Institute, 2000.

Text Description of Slide

• Address misconceptions.
• Give him time to think.
• Use more than one visit, if needed.