Abstract

Both Government policy and research have addressed patient choice during diagnosis, treatment and end-of-life care. A search for research publications on choice/decision-making during cancer follow-up was unproductive. There are, however, publications on aspects of follow-up important to patients, such as attention to symptoms and a need for reassurance, several of which mention choice briefly. Prompted by increased survival times and evidence that traditional follow-up is ineffective, alternative models have been tested and proposed without reference to patient choice. This review synthesises themes and ideas on choice and follow-up in cancer, and exposes issues for further research, such as the paradox that patients are encouraged to make decisions when psychologically vulnerable soon after diagnosis but are given little choice during follow-up when they feel more able. (completed 2005)