CIPN Decision Aid to Improve Neurotoxic Chemotherapy Decision Making

Summary

This clinical trial studies how well a chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) decision aid works in improving chemotherapy decision making among patients with breast cancer. CIPN involves numbness or tingling in the hands or feet and is a debilitating side effect of several commonly used classes of cancer drugs. CIPN symptoms are typically minor at first but can progress with continued treatment to severe symptoms that can affect long-term function, falls risk, and quality of life. Symptoms sometimes resolve after treatment but in patients who experienced CIPN, symptoms are still present 1 year post-treatment in about two-thirds of patients and 3 years post-treatment in approximately half of the patients. Previous studies indicate patients lack awareness of long-term CIPN symptoms. A decision aid that provides information about permanent CIPN, that helps patients understand their treatment priorities, and prepares them for a discussion with their medical oncologist may lead to improvements in treatment decision making, satisfaction with decision making, and ultimately increase patient's achievement of their treatment goals.