Information for cancer patients entering a clinical trial--an evaluation of an information strategy.

Informing patients before the start of antineoplastic treatment is important due to the anxiety and uncertainty felt by the patients and the legal aspects of trials. 34 women were interviewed 3 months after receiving information. Results show that the information was well remembered, patients were glad to bring a relative, two consultations with time for deliberation were well-received and that patients viewed written information as an important reinforcement. Overall, information provided was positively evaluated. Detailed information allowed patients to understand and participate in treatment decisions, thereby reducing their pretherapy anxiety. These results support expansion of the structured information programme to include all patients about to begin long-term cancer therapy.