P3-3-5PATIENTS' NARRATIVES REGARDING THE PRESENCE OF AN ACCOMPANYING PERSON AT THEIR BREAST/PROSTATE CANCER NOTIFICATION

Abstract Background: When cancer is notified, it is believed that the presence of a key person in addition to the patient is important in order to reduce patient's psychological stress. This study tries to analyze the perspective of patients on the presence of an accompanying person at the time of cancer notification. Methods: The design was secondary analysis of interview data. We used DIPEx-Japan database to analyze the patients' narratives regarding the presence of an accompanying person at cancer notification. The comments on an accompanying person were extracted and, relationship of the accompanying person with the patient, whether the patient's comment was voluntary or not, the decision maker of the accompanying person, etc. were summarized. A qualitative approach was taken, analyzing the accompaniment decision patterns and the reasons for deciding on an accompanying person. Results: Out of 49 breast and 46 prostate cancer patients, 16 (32.7%) and 17 (37.0%) patients were accompanied by somebody, respectively. About the decision maker of the accompanying person was the physician in 7/46 (15.2%) for breast cancer and 7/35 (20.0%) for prostate cancer. The decision maker was the patient in 12/45 (26.1%) for breast cancer and 6/35 (17.1%) for prostate cancer. The reason was mainly the patient's wish to reduce psychological stress. On the other hand, reasons for a patient choosing not to be accompanied included feelings that the problem was his or her own, concerns over the psychological impact of family members' stress or reaction, weak ties with persons who might accompany, or initial belief that he/she did not have cancer, etc. Conclusion: Our study indicated that less than one third of cancer patients decided whether or not to have an accompanying person, and the reason for deciding on the accompaniment varied significantly. Therefore, it is important in clinical practice to confirm the patient's intention before cancer notification.