Making treatment decisions is stressful. The work of understanding complex medical information, crafting questions for your medical team, and trusting oneself is hard. We break down this intense time in ways that might feel more manageable and help you regain a sense of calm as you work hard to care for yourself at each turn in the road. Let’s talk about it.

1. Informed Treatment Decision
Making
Addressing the Emotional Rollercoaster
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

2. Breaking Decision
Making into Parts
• Knowledge
• Values
• Support
• Needs to Move
Forward
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

3. Collaborative Process
• Medical professionals have information
and expertise on the medical options,
potential side effects and strategies for
managing side effects.
• You have wisdom and expertise on your
own body, the activities and lifestyle
choices that matter a great deal to you.
• Your family & loved ones have insight
and a perspective about your life and
how treatment impacts you.
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

4. Step One: Clarify
the Decision
• Determine where you are
in the decision-making
process.
• What are the reasons for
making the decision. What
brings you to this point?
• What is the timeframe
around this decision?
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

5. Step Two: Gather
Information
• Cancer subtypes
• Stage of cancer
• Personal factors
• Genetic information
• Treatment Options
• Other Tests available
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

6. Thinking Critically
About The Options:
Where are these options coming from?
• Established treatment guidelines based on research and
used throughout the country.
What about new scientific developments?
• Ask about and learn more about clinical trials and
eligibility requirements.
Beyond my oncology team, where can I learn more?
• Reputable websites and organizations to research in
more depth.
• National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) –
www.nccn.org
• SHARE Cancer Support – www.sharecancersupport.org
• Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance – www.ocrahope.org
• Ovarcome – www.overcome.org
• Foundation for Women’s Cancer –
www.foundationforwomenscancer.org
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

7. Seeking Second
Opinions:
WHY?
• A desire to learn more or “cover all the bases”.
• Communicating with your doctor is hard and you
want your options explained by someone else.
• Seeking confirmation of the treatment options
presented to you by your current team.
• The opportunity to connect with someone who
specializes or is involved in research for your cancer
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

8. Making Space
for all options
Palliative Care: Goal to improve
quality of life by addressing
symptom management. Can be
offered at any point along the
treatment trajectory.
Hospice Care: Goal to provide
compassionate care in the last
stages of a disease so that someone
can live as fully and comfortably as
possible.
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

9. Identify Pros
& Cons
• What do you know about the
reasons to choose an option
(benefits)?
• What do you know about the
reasons to avoid an option
(side effects, risks)?
• Consider the benefits and
risks from many angles:
medically, physical health,
mental health, personal
factors…
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

10. What matters to you?
• Review your Pro & Con lists and
place a value (1-5) on each point.
• What benefits are most important
TO YOU?
• What risks do YOU most want to
avoid?
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

11. Who is involved in this
decision?
• Who else has an opinion that adds value to this
process?
• Who has knowledge that can help provide
information?
• Will anyone be impacted by your decision? How
much does that influence your choice?
• Is anyone pressuring your one way or another?
• Could others support you in any specific way?
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

12. Are there any gaps?
“Decisional conflict”
• Do you have enough information to make a choice?
• Do you know where to get more information?
• Are you clear about what benefits and risks matter
most to you?
• What type of unknown feels easier to tolerate?
• Have you connected with others who have a
personal understanding of this type of decision?
• Do you know the logistical next steps involved with
moving forward?
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

13. After the
Decision is Made
• Outline how to discuss decision
with medical team and loved ones.
• Revisit and review the values
identified that helped you come to
a decision.
• Maintain open communication and
an ongoing dialogue with
important individuals
• Continue to list questions and
address them regularly with your
team
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com