1) Patients want more involvement in treatment decisions and to feel that doctors provide information on options and consider their preferences. 2) Variation exists in treatment approaches and outcomes across different regions of the UK, and identifying unwarranted variations is important for improving care quality. 3) Shared decision making requires clinicians and patients to discuss experiences of illness, social circumstances, risk attitudes, values, preferences, diagnoses, prognoses, and treatment options to make informed healthcare choices.