Preferences and Utilities for Prostate Cancer Screening and Treatment: Assessment of the Underlying Decision Making Process
Abstract
Prospect Theory (PT), with risk-attitudes, helps us understand decision-making under conditions of risk and can be applied to decisions regarding prostate cancer. Other models have suggested that risk-perceptions may better explain risky choices. The aim of this study was to assess the mechanism (risk-attitude vs. risk-perceptions) by which risky choices (preferences) are made. Risk-perceptions were assessed with a questionnaire and preferences were measured with the Time Trade-Off interview. 290 men, 144 with prostate cancer and 146 without, were randomized to either a loss or gain framed interview. Our hypothesis that the mechanism driving risky choice is a combination of risk-perceptions and risk-attitude was supported with the combination shown to be significantly associated with preferences. Our hypothesis related to the effect of message framing on preferences was supported only in part since there were no within group differences, however message framing did show modestly significant between group (patient versus community) differences for loss and gain frame related to impotence but not incontinence. This study also supports PT with patients willing to risk more side effects to gain longer survival than the community subjects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA451385
Entities
People
- Deborah Watkins-bruner
Organizations
- Fox Chase Cancer Center